If I Were You

If I were you,
I’d travel for a year or more,
From town to town and shore to shore;
In Kathmandu or Singapore,
I’d live a life outside the law.
That’s what I’d do; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d take a job that pleases me,
Not chained to work, but fancy free;
Wage-slavery I’d gladly flee,
If I could win the Lottery.
I’d take my due; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d find a place and live alone,
And treat it as my comfort zone.
I’d welcome those that I have known
And rather write than use the phone.
A billet-doux; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d dress as wildly as I dare,
In silk or fur, and make them stare;
Or maybe, I would just go bare,
And peer out coyly through my hair.
A stunning view; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d study Aids and find the cure,
And speak in tongues and be obscure,
Write Poetry, as I mature,
An Intellectual for sure.
And in Who’s Who; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d seek for friends in ev’ry place,
The ones who love, yet leave me space;
The frown would vanish from my face
And leave a kind of state of grace.
Yes, I’d be true; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d never let myself feel guilt,
Nor have my dreams on envy built;
Such dread emotions make souls wilt,
So I’d live life up to the hilt.
I’d never rue; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d make my passion bloom and grow,
But give my lovers leave to go,
And in my strength let feelings show;
I’d trust my heart, and make love slow.
Make love, not screw; if I were you.

If I were you,
I’d treat with scorn what people say,
For that’s their style, and not my way.
I’d mock their tired, worn cliché;
The truth is that they’ve had their day.
I’d tell them too; if I were you.

So, when you want or need advice,
Remember – you must pay the price;
And though I’ll tell you all I know,
It’s really not a quid pro quo.
For as I age, still you are young;
The future’s yours, I’ve had my fun.
And I am Me and You are You;
Do what you want, not what I’d do.