Throw Out

Throw out the doilies and painted porcelain figures,

Thrust off your attention to detail, and speak.

Come down hard on the pain that keeps you standing

In doorways – pass through, don’t be meek.

Don’t be so delicate in your musings,

Encumbered with the things you try to preach,

Don’t heed the advice of others;

Only from their own experience can they teach.

Accept love and entrust it with your life,

If this love prevails, all the more beautiful it would be,

Cast off aspersions to your honesty;

If my house is made of cards, more fool me.

Take time to deliberate the meaning of things,

But don’t second guess your conclusions,

Put your money on a horse and back it,

If it comes in last, don’t waste time on delusions.

Stand at the edge of the world and indulge yourself

In beautiful thought, care not about the shame in fantasy,

Spend your whole life doing it, if you wish,

But do not expect this to set you free.

Do not be afraid of others and their motivations,

We all have our conscience to face,

Open your arms and your heart and your head,

And carry those who’ve fallen from grace.

Let your eyes alight, delighting in simple truths,

The sun will set on every day; the stars will sparkle nightly,

Grab the beauty of the world with both hands,

And do not fear to reach for what might be.