“We are here and it is now. Further than that all human knowledge is moonshine.”
- H.L. Mencken
Scott Carin is a poet, memoirist and essayist originally from Washington State. He recently retired as Curators' Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Missouri. He lives with his wife in Columbia, MO.
Imperative
By Scott Cairns
The thing to remember
is how tentative all of this
really is. You could wake up dead.
Or the woman you love
could decide you're ugly.
Maybe she'll finally give up
trying to ignore the way you
floss your teeth when
you watch television.
All I'm saying is that
there are no sure things here.
I mean, you'll probably wake up alive,
and she'll probably keep putting off
any actual decision about your looks.
Could be she'll be glad your teeth
are so clean. The morning could be
full of all the love and kindness
you need. Just don't go thinking
you deserve any of it.
Birthdays in Music: Timothy B. Schmidt (1947) Bass/Vocals - The Eagles (I Can't Tell You Why)
Name That movie: “I'm sorry I had a fight in the middle of your Black Panther party.”
RP