Skip to content

Log Out

×

Poetry

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

 

 

 

 

Image depends on its subscribers and supporters. Join the conversation and make a contribution today.

+ Click here to make a donation.

+ Click here to subscribe to Image.


The Image archive is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Receive ImageUpdate, our free weekly newsletter featuring the best from Image and the world of arts & faith

* indicates required