I Believe.... (Chant Two) Poem by Eric Cockrell

i believe...
in open hands, open minds,
and open hearts.
that the banning of books is wrong.
that we have been
too long owned
by what we own.
that we are all
immigrants on the earth.
that all people are
brothers and sisters.
that we are responsible
for each other.
that animals and trees
and mountains have souls,
and that there is much
that we can learn from them.
in the simple life,
in honesty...
that forgiveness should be
as natural as breathing.
in the right to question, and doubt...
in respect... in words,
thoughts, and actions.
that none are free,
until all are free!