One of the many pleasures in life
is knowing that there’s heaven and hell. I cannot remember what
you look like, just that
today’s my own personal

Life-*****-and-I-Want-to-Die Day (which means
tomorrow I will
love my life and want to live forever).
The astrology department reports an explosion
and that people should stay indoors
to avoid tunnel vision.
My star sign says

I will be torn in two directions today – I should
hire a private investigator to count my steps. I wasn’t
going to feel happy for myself but
now I’m stumbling my way out of the bar
with only five dollars in my bra.

A beakless raven hops past
against the dying of the light
and intones
I am the poet Dylan Thomas
risen from the dead:
advancing as long as forever is

I promise I will be ok.

For every emotion songs have already been written:
poetries and sonnets,
angry beats and ****** ballads.
My more positive, happier self is an extra-terrestrial being
from galaxies far away:
No cutting off fins from sharks. Unlike lizards’ tails
fins don’t grow back.
Love. Respect.
No ceramic idols lining the windows
their empty gazes crawling up your spine.
No empty promises. No magic cures for baldness.
Phones on mute during class. Eat sensibly.
Take a breather – life is not a race
to the finish line. Have cleaner washrooms.
Less unwanted criticisms. Less trance.
Love thy country.
Pin-striped shorts
from M&S; Stronger will.
No slitting wrists or overdoses. Suspend disbelief.
No secret candy stashes. Do your laundry without being told.
Omit racism, misanthropy. Wilted flowers by the windowsill.
No secret phone calls in the middle of the night.
Who are you afraid of? Almost and nearly don’t count.
Come home.
Forgive favorite band for disappointing album.
Be kinder to puppies.
Brood, not rant. Skulk, not stalk.
Get my name right.
Don’t drink and drive.
There are no gays, no lesbians, only
people with feelings.
Fight, not flight.
Have more 24-hour pizza places.
Avoid politicians, traitors, lawyers.
No throwing around words like vociferance,
vociferate, vociferous.
Accept fate – don’t be a martyr;
One day everything fades
so hold on to
all your post-it memory
until every star

turns to dust.