Echoes of Liberty: A Journey Through Time and Heart

The Inspiration of an Iconic Image

As I stand before the iconic image of "Liberty Leading the People," my thoughts drift back through the years, blending with the hues of past revolutions and the vivid brushstrokes of my own life's canvas. The painting, a masterpiece by Eugène Delacroix, captures the fierce beauty and raw power of liberty — a robust and resolute woman leading a charge under the banner of freedom. This image, though rooted in the July Revolution of 1830, speaks to me about every struggle for freedom, including my own, from the war-torn landscapes of Angola to the hopeful shores of America.

The Call for Freedom in Angola

In my youth, I witnessed the upheaval of nations, the call for independence echoing through the streets of Luanda as it neared the threshold of freedom in 1975. Like the figures surrounding Delacroix's Liberty, my people, young and old, rich and poor, fought with a ferocity driven by the desire for self-determination, the longing to forge our own destiny.

Freedom as a Personal Ideal

Álvaro de Campos, one of Fernando Pessoa's creations, once wrote about freedom as something deep and personal, extending beyond the political sphere — it was about the freedom to exist genuinely, without pretensions or pressures. His words resonate with me as I reflect on my journey across continents in search of a life unburdened by fear and limitations. "Ah, I have a healthy thirst. Give me freedom," he pleaded. I too thirst for this freedom, not only from the tyranny of dictators but from the limitations of expectations and historical inertia.

Gratitude for Freedom Achieved

Now, residing in a land that promises liberty and justice for all, I am grateful to those who continue to defend these ideals. Every day, I am thankful to the men and women in uniform and the everyday citizens who guard our freedoms. Their vigilance ensures that the banner of liberty does not falter, that its light continues to shine brightly, guiding us just as the allegorical figure in Delacroix's painting.

Freedom and Engineering: An Analogy

As an electronic engineer, I have learned that systems, like societies, function best when there is coherence and a shared purpose. In the intricate wiring of circuits and the complex dialogues of democracy, I see parallels — both require dedication, understanding, and, most crucially, a commitment to sustaining the flow of energy, whether electric or human.

The Preciousness of Freedom

Freedom is, indeed, the most precious thing we have on Earth. It is the foundation upon which we build our dreams, the breath that fills our lungs with hope. It is not just a concept captured in oil paints or poetic verses, but a living, breathing reality that we must continually strive to improve and protect.

The Responsibility of Freedom

As I look once more at the determined faces in the painting, I am reminded of the responsibility that comes with our freedoms — the responsibility to remember, to participate, and to perpetuate the legacy of liberty for future generations. In the grand tapestry of human existence, each thread of freedom is interwoven, colored by battles fought and won, shaded by those still being waged.

In this light, I write my own narrative, a testament to the enduring spirit of freedom, hoping that it may inspire others as much as it has inspired me.

Echoes of Freedom

Here is staged, in verse strong and arcane,

Of a son of the Angolan lands, the journey,

Who between wars and peace forged his plan,

Seeking freedom, so dearly prized.

Through seas never before sailed,

He left his country in dismay,

Between tears and abandoned dreams,

In the arms of a new continent, solace.

The promised land, the United States,

Embraced the brave engineer in its fold,

In silicon and circuits, unmeasured secrets,

Weaving with mastery his space.

But forget not, oh muse, that day,

When to freedom he rose, valiant;

His heart still burned for the motherland,

And for all who remained at the front.

Conclusion: The Mission to Celebrate Freedom

Now, in lands where the sun sets, I write verses, sonnets, a mission: to honor those who sow and dispose of freedom, with the strength of the pen and the flame of passion. Thus, on this stage of stars and stripes, I celebrate the freedom that resides within us. Like Camões once did, with his writings, I weave the web of history that guides and divides us.

THE END