Cross Roads

AT DAWN

     I. THE CAVEMAN

     I live! And the scarlet sunrise is climbing the
        mountain steep,
     I live... And below, in the caverns, the rest
        of my clansmen sleep;
     But I—I am here, and chanting, I could slay a
        beast with my hand,
     And I thrill as the mist of the morning creeps up
        from the rock-strewn land!

     I live, I have strength for fighting—and courage to
        rend and slay,
     I live! And my eyes are lifting to gaze at the new-
        born day;
     And I pause, on the way to my hewn-out cave,
        though I know that she waits me there,
     My mate, with her eyes on the scarlet dawn, and the
        wind in her flame-like hair.

     I live—and the joy of living leaps up in my searching
        eyes,
     I live, and my soul starts forward, to challenge the
        waking skies!
     Far down are the torrents roaring, far up are the
        clouds, unfurled;
     And I stand on the cliff, exultant, akin to the waking
        world.

     The mists are gone, and an eagle sweeps down from
        the mountain high,
     And I wish that my arms were feathered and strong,
        that I, too, might fly;
     I live! I am one with the morning! Ah, I am a
        MAN, and free!
     And I shout aloud, and the scarlet dawn shouts back,
        on the gale, to me!