The Bells Of Freedom

do the bells of freedom ring every time someone dies of starvation? every time a child is abused, every time a woman's left alone to raise the kids... every time a young boy hangs himself, every time an addict steals his fix... every time a boy is shot dead in the street, every time a mother weeps.... every time a boy goes off to war, comes home in a bodybag.... and no one knows why..... every time a family is evicted, with nowhere to go.... every time a factory gets shut down, and the workers walk away with empty lunchboxes and shattered dreams..... every time a minister gets up to pray, and the silent, grieving, walk out... every time a young girl gets beaten by a pimp in a back room.... every time a family farm is taken, every time a tanker leaks oil... every time a prisoner is executed for something he didnt do.... every time a protestor gets arrested for standing up to be counted... do they ring? and are they the chimes of freedom.... or the bells of passing.... saying their final farewell!