After Edward Hirsch

In spite of everything,
my skin is attached to muscle
and I wear grey slippers at night.
There’s a replica wrestling belt on our wardrobe,
I carry 8-foot Christmas trees for half a mile
and up one flight of stairs. In spite of everything,
I get to smell chocolate in the morning (in bed)
and listen to incorrect lyrics. I get to dance
in my pants, play code words and eat Pringles
and promise to stop eating Pringles
and then eat Pringles. I get to stretch my legs,
unfurl my spine, forget to shave my neck.
The next time a doctor has to ask
In spite of everything,
why do you think you’re still here?
I will say what I always say.

© Carl Burkitt 2020