When we are born
thirst makes us cry
thirst surges through our arteries
when the hormones hit
when we start to wither
our thirst necessarily increases
for the tongue of touch
the dictionary of rain
we remember we were once loved
love kept us alive
*
Then every face
was like the face of God
each blackberry in the bucket
sweet to the taste
we were swifter than eagles
stronger than lions
when was this
it was in our dream
and when we wake
all gone but the thirst
*
now we pause to watch
sparrows competing in a puddle
now we peer into a stroller
at a months-old face
now we reach for something
to give the homeless man
it is not that we are loved
we are sparrows
and babies and beggars
we must drink our thirst
