How to Read This Poem

Another from the hoard! This one's actually one of my favorites from my UB years.

How to Read This Poem

Get completely naked.

Fill your tub
with water, as hot
as you can handle
it (foams & oils
are optional).

Get in, slowly,
one
foot
at a time,
easing
yourself down
until you are
entirely immersed,
letting the heat
envelop your body.

Fill your lungs
with a deep, slow
breath. Hold it
for a second,
& ease it out.

Close your eyes.

Let this page
fall away.

Feel the touch
of a lover's finger
glide
along the bridge
of your nose.

Smell the scent
given off
by the tears
of a crying rose.

Let your tongue roll
around candy-colored
rocks flavored
amaretto.

Listen to
Caruso's voice,
flowing
with falsetto.

Watch the love
bounce
against the walls
of an infant's eyes.

Revel
in the feel
of velvet drawn
between your thighs.

Feed
some honey
to a bee.

Watch Fellini
dance
on your knee.

Teach
a lemming
how to read.

Plant
a river
from a seed.

Build
a mansion
with a hair.

Pluck
a mango
from the air.

Continue,
careful
not to let your skin
prune.

Rinse.

Repeat as necessary.