Today, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. "What Makes Us" is dedicated to saving lives. Please view, comment and share. Special thanks to actresses Melody Chase and Sydney Chandler, music by Mattia Cupelli, and especially to Adam McInnis, creative director and videographer.     

David Kerr, composer and founder of Integrity House (alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation treatment program in Newark, NJ) was so inspired by my poem, Freedom’s Song, that he, unbeknownst to me, composed music to bring Freedom's Song to life. With conductor Jason Tramm, orchestra, choir, narrator Jacqueline Anabwani, and James Manno of JAMMAN Productions Recording Studio, Freedom's Song is now in rehearsal. Freedom's Song will be recorded with full orchestration at the prestigious Ocean Grove New Jersey Great Auditorium on October 2nd and is scheduled for debut in Spring 2017 at a World Peace Concert. Please read the poem below. Truly, poetry has wings!

Freedom's Song    

All life’s people sing their cry
To render hearts open wide
To see and honor precious soul
To honor Life’s Creation

Created by Creator of One and All
How then do we kill one another?

Prayers for Freedom’s Day
Every day and Everywhere
For Everyone in the World
Freedom's Day is Now

Pray to hear the deepest call
Beyond illusion and not knowing
Beyond not caring and unfeeling
Beyond imagining hate can ever
Speak for Love

For Life holds Every Spirit in Her arms

Rise up all voices
Soar high like birds
Beautiful across the sky
Cry out for the world to hear
I am mother, I am father!
I am sister, I am brother!
I am here and I belong!

Do not take my Life away!

I Am That I Am is Life taken form
And Love is the only language

Inside us all a child’s heart
Inside us all a child’s hope
Inside us all a child’s song

Pray we listen to Life’s cry
Songs of pain fueled anger
Songs of yearning from loss
Of hope and understanding

Prayers for life, joy and peace
Beyond human misunderstanding
And brutality that feeds on death

Pray we honor Thou Who Art
Highest Upon High
The Soul of the World
Elixir of Life

Freedom weeps for life's annihilation
When Spirit Souls die each day
Their own Songs of Freedom
Dead upon their lips

Rise up all voices in heart's sorrow
Let praise ring out for Freedom's Song
Be strong and never stop singing
Until Freedom reigns true
For One and All
Until Freedom reigns true
For One and All
 
All life’s people sing their cry
To render hearts open wide
To see and honor precious soul
To honor Life’s Creation
Be strong and never stop singing
Until Freedom reigns free
For One and All
Until Freedom reigns free
For One and All
 
Diane Kaufman, MD
Independence Day: July 4, 2016
Days of Sorrow: July 5, 6, and 7, 2016
Arts Medicine for Health & Healing