Live
live for laughter for the love for the sins we cannot repent for the people we cannot repay dance as if it hurts to stand still let your feet feel the Earth be blind in your judgment and all seeing of the possibilities float free upon whatever makes you smile slip into lust with the liner on your eyes pluck your brows and paint your lips wear booty shorts and skirts with no slips adorn your crown with flowers rip your shirts and shred your jeans bring brightness to your eyes by all means kiss slow and kiss hard bite lips and suck tongues etch tattoos into skin with the edges of your fingernails be timid in your loving or be outrageous be kind and be courageous make pretties out of pains light your cigarette sing songs when it rains kiss your boyfriend and kiss his mother tell her her son is like no other that your heart aches for him express gratitude in hugs and never stop painting never stop drawing never stop singing dancing or writing unplug your phone at 69% and laugh for ten minutes then kiss your reflection pay no attention to the next election and aim for less than perfection be celebratory of all that you do thank the Sun for your skin and kiss hers with soft lips live for laughter for the love for the sins we cannot repent for the people we cannot repay
© Ama Akoto (2014)