More Pie

Once you can get beyond hang-ups

like sex appeal - whether your

skin looks good, your teeth white

and straight enough, the colour and

abundance of your hair, those lines.

(God, those lines!)

Once you're above caring what

your navel looks like, or whether

you can still touch your toes.

Once those purple veins on your

calves and ankles take on a

vaguely aesthetic appeal - like

cranberry Cheddar, or raspberry

ripple ice cream.

Once you no longer keep tabs

on things like alcohol units,

cigarette butts, fried breakfasts,

who's turning their head for you,

what's in fashion and who's

wearing it, and why.

Then perhaps you can begin to

experience living.

Who knows?

Maybe you already are.