Instructions for the Journey

This was written during Mary Ellen's poetry class she teaches at the VA. She asked me to read it at an upcoming poetry reading at Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC the following weekend. I did and it was extremely well received. I was told I didn't just read the poem. I performed it. I got more applause in the entire 1st half of the event than anyone else except the professional dancers. But they're professionals, so I can't be upset by that.

As they say, "Stop and smell the roses."
But also, stop and smell the skunks,
for they are part of the journey, too.

Taste the bittersweet chocolate of your life.

Look up when you are down,
but don't forget to look down when you are up.

Listen to the heartbeat of the world around you
and revel in those sounds,
whether they are sirens or swallows,
they are a part of your world,
a part of your journey.

Feel your world--Feel it with flesh and soul.

Don't be too hard on yourself when you fail at these things,
because you will fail.
We will fail.
We will fall.
But it's all part of the journey.