To Live, By God! Poem by Eric Cockrell

to be swept away by the storm,
every room in the house akilter.
hair thrown across your face,
lips swollen with longing.

to pluck stars from the night sky,
and drink the dew like wild beasts.
to howl and moo, to hoot and caw,
to be the ant that led the others astray!

to build small fires by forbidden roads,
to sleep inside the cave.
to drink moonlight, and spit revolution,
to walk naked in the cool evening.

to live, by God....
to shout and curse and sweat.
to break windows and kick down doors...
to speak of things long hidden...

to live, and yes to love...
with a force that defies the wind,
and brings rain from the dust...
with the faith of a child!