by Maureen Sherbondy
Forget rules. Make your way
to the finish line. The snake
is the end and the beginning.
Sing while you work. Work is play.
Eat all the apples. Toss cores
into the stars. Remember to climb jungle
gyms and trees. Tell the birds
it’s your nest, rest your head
on branches. Let eggs crack
and splatter on the dirt. Collateral
damage occurs. Rest your head
on leafy branches. Scream
at thunder. Throw rocks into the pond.
Make ripples and raise a ruckus
at every interesting intersection.
This is it. There will be no other
time on the clock. Erase doubts
with your feet. Smack life
in the face and run with the sun
on your back.