A Few Simple Commands

A Few Simple Commands

hold your metal to the fire,
hold your paintbrush
grinning hopelessly like
baby ducks on the waterfront.
keep your mouth free
of lies + pestilence.
hold your hands
close to a woman, so close
she can feel your heart
beat + your liver fail. keep
her in sight of the next
drink, your next smoke, your
next fuck. hold her like
a semaphore, hands held
open + feet placed forward like a buddha.
die like a man, like
a diamond simile, a
sparkling descent down death's
door. die with her nearby,
clutching your hand, squeezing
and praying. die like we
were meant to die—
as sparrows falling from their nests.