And freedom, oh freedom well, that’s just some people talkin’

–Desperado lyrics by Glenn Frey, Don Henley

There’s a lot of talk about freedom going around.  Seems like more talk than ever.  Perhaps the talk is in inverse proportion to the degree/quality of freedom that we are currently experiencing?  When one has enough of anything what’s to talk about?

i cannot help considering the lyric of Janis Joplin’s great tune, “Me and Bobby McGee.”  I can imagine an interview with Janis about that road trip across the country with her soul mate Bobby McGee.  Janis describes well enough the ride they hitched in the cab of a long haul trucker.  The trucker and two passengers sang the old songs together, as the miles clicked by.  The trip started in Baton Rouge, and though they had little to nothing in cash, Janis and Bobby made it all the way to Salinas California.  Janis remembers the warmth of Bobby’s hand holding hers and how safe she felt.  Then, as result of an act of her own, details not supplied, Bobby left at Salinas.  Janice comments that Bobby is looking for his home and she hopes that he finds it.  With Bobby’s departure, her palpable sense of freedom evaporates.

But, I’d trade all of my tomorrows, for a single yesterday
To be holdin’ Bobby’s body next to mine

Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose
Nothin’, that’s all that Bobby left me, yeah

Freedom is an expression that points to our sense of loss, the absence of fulfillment recognized when, due to the passage of time, due to our own ill-advised act(s), or the high-handed imperious exercise of another’s will our life changes.  When we have “nothin’ left to lose,” literally nothing left, at that juncture how can we not talk about freedom?

To cast the matter into a very mundane light:  Yesterday evening, for dinner I enjoyed one of the most delicious hamburgers in recent memory.  It was our first visit to the Pub on 83 bar and grill.  The oversized burger paddy was cooked medium rare to perfection, and the guacamole had just enough heat from the added jalapeno.  Hamburger paradise!  The sliced red onion garnish was just right too.

Freedom in terms of a hamburger meal.  Paradoxically freedom didn’t come to mind as I enjoyed my burger.

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Finally as to the political turn at the end of yesterday’s post, I meant every word.