Stop asking
as though
you had a
right to anything
but the chance
to keep trying.
Stop complaining.
Stop planning to
retire and give thanks
for the job.
Invent some
way to make
life better
for anyone
but yourself.
Tell fools
the truth.
Fight only
to the death.
Live beyond
your means
in love until
you no longer
fear love.
Be yourself
until you forget
how, then go back
to class.
Turn off all the
screens and look
around. Keep
looking and
never substitute
media for real
life again or text
for an embrace
or handshake
or face to face.
Talk to people.
Listen to them.
Honor the dead.
Listen to them too
and tell the unborn
how much you love
them by preparing
your world to receive
them. Quit the stage
with honor and bow
to the applause.
If there is no applause,
wait for a better
audience during the
encore.
Unlock the secrets
of the universe and
throw away the key.
♥