The Villanelle of Frederick Douglass

Freedom is more than our birthright. 
It makes the heaving chest swell 
But, liberty's toll is our plight. 

Freedom's sweet sound rings bright 
When we're finally released from our cell. 
Freedom is more than our birthright. 

Freedom expressed in the light 
Empowers our dance on the drugs that they sell, 
But, liberty's toll is our plight. 

I tasted the freedom with sight, 
Heard the clamour of the liberty bell, 
Freedom is more than our birthright. 

The freedom that chimes in delight 
Can quickly ring out like a death knell, 
But, liberty's toll is our plight. 

So, is freedom still worth the good fight? 
The good fight that could lead us to hell. 
Freedom is more than our birthright, 
But, liberty's toll is our plight. 

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, was ratified by many states on this day in 1865.