Australia Poetry Magazine

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"Fettered by Freedom" by JB Felix

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May 15th, 2026

Fettered by Freedom

by JB Felix

Not the measure of rain,
nor where it falls or when.
Not the reach of sunlight,
nor the temper of the wind.

Not even they have a say
in choosing the ground
where they will stay
the rest of their days.

They do not even
get to decide
who passes by them,
and with what intent—

to caress their leaves,
or pluck a flower
without even bothering
to ask for consent.

And yet the tree,
rooted yet free—
can't stop
swaying in bliss,

unlike me
struggling with schedules,
caught up in routines,
I no longer remember choosing,

fettered by freedom,
I suffer nothing—
not an ache or absence,
not one lack or excess—

that wasn't, in some way,
chosen and shaped
by me,
for myself.

About the Poet
JB Felix resides in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Read the poet's biography and Wax Poetry and Art publications on JB Felix's Artist Page.

This poem is also featured in Comet #8, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.

Keywords: freedom, agency, nature, experience

Previously published in Australia Poetry Magazine:
Memories
by J.Bromley

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