Part II · The South Korea / U.S. Army Era (1997–1999)
I’ve made my choice and I’ve chosen freedom
At the expense of my entire kingdom.
Autonomy and self-direction have cost me my past
But the future’s all mine and it’s coming fast.
I’m beginning anew, starting from scratch—
Picking up the pieces of pitch and patch.
I’m writing my own chapters, 1…2…3…
Exodus, then Genesis, “I am what I’ll be…”
The eyes of society, like justice, are blind.
They’re indifferent, uncaring, and bluntly unkind.
Alone in a world that consumes the weak,
I will stay strong when things seem bleak.
This road continues on, long past my vision.
There lies a crossroads for every decision.
My path climbs high, and the winds blow hard,
But the course is my own—I’ve played my own card.
So now I’m free, free to live!
To reap what I sow, not sow just to give!
Though I’ve lost my possessions, there’s still much I own,
For my dreams are yet mine, and they’re mine alone.
Composed 1997–1999 · part of the Poems collection · authorship documented on the Provenance page.