Free

“FREE” Poem & Lyrics by: Andre Maldonado -- Lyrics: I stand beside my family And friends when times are hard Even when I have little I still give from the heart I listen when you need me I try to hear your truth I won’t break your thoughts apart I’ll make some space for you I know that I belong here In this life I’m living now At home and free to travel I’m learning to be proud Free from self-criticism Free from judgment too I’m walking into freedom Becoming something new Free from self-criticism Leaving doubt behind I’m stepping into sunshine With peace inside my mind Sometimes I feel disappointed By goals I haven’t reached But every step has taught me More than failure ever could teach I’m learning not to shame myself Or measure by the crowd I’m growing stronger every day And standing tall somehow Free from self-criticism Free from judgment too I’m walking into freedom Becoming something new Free... free... I belong here now Free... free... I’m proud of who I am -- This poem was created during Educational Alliance’s Poetry in Music workshop series with older New Yorkers in celebration of National Poetry Month. It was later transformed into a song using AI (Suno), with the original text set to music and the artist shaping the musical style to reflect the poem’s emotional tone. This process explored new creative tools and technologies. The piece was featured in the annual CelebratEArts festival, a month-long May exhibition honoring Older Americans Month. The festival celebrates creativity, expression, and connection through the arts. The 2026 theme, "The Power of Belonging," invited reflection on lived experience, the creative process, and the stories that connect us. Poetry is Music was facilitated by Xiomara A. Maldonado. The Artistic Director for CelebratEArts is Cory Michael Herman. Learn more about CelebratEArts at: 14streety.org/celebratearts #PoetryInMusic #MusicWithAI #CelebratEArts