I Dare You

I dare you
to walk naked through Tesco's
on a Sunday afternoon,
buy 20 packets of washing powder
and a reel of cotton,
then say you forgot your purse.

I dare you to laugh like a drain
and eat like pig
and never refuse chocolate.
I dare you to write the names of your children
on other peoples faces
with crimson lipstick.

I dare you to kiss a stranger
in a dusty museum
and whisper obscenities
to an ugly Picasso.
I dare you to break old records
and burn old books
and throw away a dozen pairs of shoes.

I dare you to run barefoot
through the desert
and shout at the moon.
I dare you to sleep in the rain
and wake in the sunlight.

I dare you to scatter the pages of your mind
across the ocean of dreams.
I dare you to sing in the streets
and dance with the devil.

I dare you to look into the face of terror
and scream your defiance with pride.
I dare you to live on the edge of reality
and float on the tide of forgotten passion.

I dare you to love without reason
and weep forever.

I dare you.