death might be closer and easier than we think
that last ever breath that will happen but once
what isn’t easy is the journey toward it
the creeping half-aliveness
stealing our vibrancy in inches
slowing down our can do’s
magnifying our can’ts
yet every new surprising morning I say:
use your breath while you have it
open the door to the world knocking
however soft or loudly
put on the lipstick and
say to someone in your life
I love you and am happy you are here
share and eat the last shard of chocolate
belly-laugh at something
preferably yourself
give a small gift to someone
make sure you have something clean
to wear tomorrow
© Vilma Ginzberg, 5-20-2021