Running Towards The Fire! Poem by Eric Cockrell

we run towards the fire,
falling stars, sucking up the darkness.
what we want, what we need,
what we believe, who we are!

standing on the stage,
waiting on the curtain to rise.
i put my hands in my pockets,
and stare down at my feet.

the lights turned down,
waiting on the roar...
i realize without thinking,
'i just dont care! '

take destiny's stone statues,
and close forever's book.
there are no faces in the darkness
imposed by the self.

take my name from the page,
leave only blood and sweat!
take my face from the mirror,
and replace it with those....

who hunger and suffer,
who stink with need.
who are dying and homeless,
without freedom, or land.

stop the bombing, stop the killing,
stop the drilling, stop the hate.
let my voice be but a nail
in the walls that give shelter.

let my living be a bridge,
my passion a fire...
that warms and cooks,
and lights the weary night.

let my identity be this,
and nothing more...
the cry of the orphaned child,
the nipple that brings him home!