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.