I dream.
I dream of soft ocean swells rocking me into this daydream
I dream of sleepily laying under the banyan tree, outside my home, listening to the swishing sound of thousands of little leaves
I dream of silvery light on a full-moon night, and its reflection in the river, as I gaze in wonder
I dream of cradling tiny little flowers of the coconut palm, astonished that this delicate flower becomes a green, hard coconut
I dream of quiet days on the beach, listening to the sound of the sea, as it drowns the noise in the head
These dreams of freedom, I dream.

Freedom is lighter than hope. Hope can lead to despair.
Freedom is more buoyant than desire. Desire can weigh us down.
Dreams of freedom are a privilege that we can no longer take for granted
Therefore, I dream these dreams.
I dream to celebrate freedom. I dream to remember my privilege. I dream to be reminded of what life needs
Life needs freedom.
Behind the confines of our concrete walls, where windows offer a false sense of freedom, I dream.
Like the migrant worker who dreams of being with his family
Like the garbage collector who dreams of food security
Like the delivery agent who dreams of a restful night
Like the marginal farmer who dreams of a bountiful harvest
Like the hungry labourer who dreams of a warm meal.
I dream of this most precious gift of life, the gift of freedom
I watch it in the palm leaves that sway gently
I hear it in the sea that sings sonorously
I smell it in the earth that exhales aromatically
I taste it in the fruit that nourishes sweetly
I feel it in the air that touches softly
I know it in the heart that beats joyfully
Freedom our inheritance, our path, our destination
Let’s return to it.