I Was Told

When I was a kid
I was told to sit down,
I was told not to disturb,
When I was a teen
I was told not to laugh,
I was told not to dance,
Now I am thirty-two,
I have more freedom
To live my life.

Nobody told me,
Freedom comes with
The capacity to be independent,
Freedom comes when
The face begins to age,
Freedom comes with
The opportunity
Taken to build the future
Based on choices,
Freedom comes with decades,
Freedom comes from
An intense learning
And a strong ability
To deal with life.

Adriana Rocha was born in Bolivia. She is a psychologist who has been writing for five years and was published in three languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese. She believes in the healing power of art, and she has found in it, both a way of expression and reflection.