May 30, 2020

The No That Means Yes

If you think you can rush this, just stop.
If you think you can squeeze just one
        more thing onto that ridiculous
        to-do list of yours, just one
        more task into the live-long day,

just . . . no. You can't do it – or yourself –
justice like that. The day is not some sad
        buffet, an obscene smorgasbord,
        both product and predictor of
        waste, from which to heap your

plate with Hawaiian pulled pork, fried
rice, a slice of prime rib (or two), plus
        a bowl of shrimp gumbo on the
        side, to shovel down the gullet
        before returning for two dollops

of banana pudding over soft ice cream.
Just . . . no. This is a recipe for madness,
        disease, death by starvation for
        coherence, by thirst for restraint
        that sweetens and affirms Life.