"Freedom, Passion, and Defiance"

 

"Freedom, Passion, and Defiance"

By Amany El-Sawy 

A Critical Reading of Hesham El-Saeed's Ode to Liberty

In his poem “My Freedom, My Beloved",  Hesham El-Saeed offers a compelling lyrical meditation on freedom—not as a legal privilege or political currency, but as an existential force, luminous and uncompromising. From the very first line, El-Saeed situates freedom as a constant sun: “A sun that never sets—for she is my freedom, my beloved”. Liberty is neither fleeting nor conditional; it is radiant, omnipresent, and inviolable.

The poem’s most striking artistic gesture lies in its intimate personalization of freedom. By referring to it as “my beloved”, the poet elevates the concept from political theory to spiritual experience. This is not a declaration from a citizen to a state, but a confession of love from a soul to its guiding light. In doing so, the poet reimagines liberty not as something granted or revoked by authority, but as a companion of being, woven into the very fabric of the self. Freedom becomes the muse, the partner, the essence of human dignity.

Moreover, throughout the poem, the voice of the speaker is marked by both tenderness and defiance. Phrases such as “I was born free” and “I am not for sale or purchase” are delivered with an unwavering moral clarity. These lines declare autonomy not as a request, but as an unalienable truth. In a world where liberties are often conditional or contested, El-Saeed offers a vision of freedom as inherent, indivisible, and non-negotiable.

Furthermore, the formal rhythm of the poem reinforces this message. It flows with a cadence of motion and strength “It walks in the path of life with steadfast steps”, “It runs, clashes with worries, and triumphs”. This kinetic energy redefines freedom not as a passive state, but as a dynamic, struggling, and victorious force. The language is filled with verbs of movement, signaling that liberty is not a fixed point but an ongoing journey toward self-realization, justice, and hope.

Equally profound is El-Saeed ’s linkage of freedom to thought, knowledge, and labor. In the line “My freedom is thought, knowledge, and an action that cannot be constrained”, he weaves together an ethics of intellectual and creative responsibility. Here, freedom is not an empty space; it is an active engagement with the world through learning and purposeful work. This triadic vision of liberty—rooted in mind, education, and effort—offers a holistic model that resists both intellectual stagnation and passive individualism.

The poem also carries a deeply moral tone. El-Saeed's relationship with freedom is not selfish or escapist, but grounded in love, sacrifice, and service. This is articulated most clearly in the closing lines: “My freedom is my provision in love, in my passion, and in my defense of my beloved”. The act of defending the beloved becomes synonymous with defending truth, passion, and dignity. It is not enough to possess freedom—one must cherish it, live by it, and protect it.

Ultimately, "My Freedom, My Beloved is not just a poetic homage to liberty; it is an existential declaration, a love letter to the unyielding spirit of the free individual. Hesham El-Saeed’s poem resonates as both a personal creed and a universal anthem. In a time when freedom is often commodified, diluted, or politicized, this poem returns us to its sacred core. Through its lyrical grace and philosophical depth, it reminds us that to be free is to live authentically, to think boldly, and to walk—always—toward the light.