Warriors Pledge... (Conclusion) Poem by Eric Cockrell

well, i've heard the footsteps
of hard determined walkers.
lost in the din and the noise
of angry faceless talkers
been twice betrayed by love,
in my hour of need.
i've planted my thoughts,
the earth swallowed my seed.

i've torn down the idols,
and exposed the lies.
been to the place
where the last raven flies.
put names on the bodies
strewn in the ditch.
been called a fugitive
and a son-of-a-bitch....


i saw that which i hated
in the mirror before me.
found the cost of my slavery,
and set my heart free.
i plowed the last garden,
built a house with doors open.
kept struggling and fighting,
believing and hoping.

i've listened to silence,
and learned god's voice.
found that we are defined,
by daring and choice.
i'll say this one time,
and return to the ground.
we are what we give,
the touch and the sound....

we are what we give,
the touch and the sound...

amen!