i don't mean
pluck out your eyes
sew up your orifices
and live
in a white coffin
existing on distilled water
and pure oxygen

open your eyes
encourage defeat-filled friends:
pray for them
help ones with problems
you've lived through

wear truth
like a tan
gotten from
a summer of playing
at marconi beach

and love your man
until he forgets his own name
and barely has strength to repeat yours