how to be good, how to be bad
draw meticulous chalk outlines around dead mosquitos
leave a bowl of moonlight for the moths
scatter some breadcrumbs across the train tracks
applaud when the compass gets lost
sprinkle rusty thumbtacks on the trampoline
recite radical verse to your old smoke detector
make a yard sale of your botched resolutions
send sonnets to the garbage collector
praise the weeds for their persistence
and the fence for its restraint
if your neighbour turns to weedkiller
pray to the weeds’ patron saint
discuss the tropes and trophies of misdirection
and file the teeth of the leaf rake
glare at your prescription and demand an apology
ram your fist into your friend’s wedding cake
label each of your regrets by season
untangle every shadow you own
feed the old dog some jamón serrano
and teach him to answer the phone
(consult your religion
looking suitably solemn
and sort the above
under their respective columns)
4 thoughts on "how to be good, how to be bad"
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Delightful!
Such great contrasts!
Love “leave a bowl of moonlight for the moths”
careful, my buddy Eric did all these and accidentally achieved immortality since none of the afterlives will take him now. Great poem!