Tuesday, April 13, 2010

another poem by scott cairns

Imperative

The thing to remember is how
tentative all of this really is.
You could wake up dead.

Or the woman you love
could decide you're ugly.
Maybe she'll finally give up
trying to ignore the way
you floss your teeth as you
watch television. All I'm saying
is that there are no sure things here.

I mean, you'll probably wake up alive,
and she'll probably keep putting off
any actual decision about your looks.
Could be she'll be glad your teeth
are so clean. The morning could
be full of all the love and kindness
you need. Just don't go thinking
you deserve any of it.

Cairns, Scott. "Imperative" philokalia: new & selected poems. Lincoln, Nebraska: Zoo Press, 2002.