how to live

James Bowden

for year in {life}:
        rest until sated. even if that means a whole week. especially if.
        give mom a hug. thank her for cutting you bell peppers every day she could.

        for person in {people you love}:
                tell person you love them dearly. birth is a reminder of death, of leaving, of comfort.
                if person seen daily:
                        look person deeply in the eyes.
                        issue person your favorite smile, gentle but warm, with no teeth exposed.
                else if person not seen daily:
                        run to person in joy.
                        throw person your childish, playful grin, full of teeth and willing heartbreak.
                if poem for person exists:
                        read/send person poem. this is but another way to say I love you. It’s hard to say so enough.

        if year in {19, 23, 25, 30, 40, 50, 70}:
                have mid-life crisis.
                write a snapshot poem.
                feel old.

        allow mother to prepare a cake for you, even though you hate cake. such small mercies keep us soft.

        memento mori.
        forget yourself.