don't
dream while life snores
don't
skip the words for pictures
don't
believe that every rise of a wave
will deliver you to the sky
don't
think of her like that
when she says she's back in town
don't
believe that every ride
will take you closer
to the exit
so much in fact
that you cut across
the oncoming traffic

don't
fall while hills rise
don't
cry all through the summer
don't
ignore the warning signs
and write your own
while doing 90 in the fast lane
taking photos of the same setting sun
for the billionth time

don't
follow your heart
into dark caves
don't
destroy or devour
or test the resilience
of every good person
in your life
don't
count every change of direction
as a diversion
from your future

but always do
what a don't do sign
person or poem
tells you to do