I Am # 2 Poem by Eric Cockrell

i am, become...
i am the poet, the prophet,
the clown, the fool...
the old man running the pawn shop,
the teacher who tries but cant seem...

the whore working her corner,
the policeman walking his beat,
the old woman shivering under her quilt,
who cant pay for heat!

the murderer, the dealer,
the victim, the prisoner...
the soldier come home to no home,
the farmer whose farm foreclosed.

i am the bow, the arrow,
the hammer, the nail...
the sacred relic, the condom,
the head on the platter.

the street preacher, the pagan priest,
you'd burn at your stake!
the homeless man in the alley,
the match, and the fire.

i am the protester beaten,
the union organizer, the march.
i am America come howling,
i am, become...