Tuesdays

everything’s OK on Tuesdays.
you get up
you piss
you brush your teeth
until you look in the mirror
and realize
you are going to die.
maybe today
maybe tomorrow
maybe next year
but you carry on anyway.
you fix your tie
you drive your car
you go to work
and carry on anyway
and before you know it
you’re 72.
one last Tuesday
with your family around
taking that last
final
breath
and you remember
you never learned how to play the trumpet
you never sang in the choir
you never ran a 5K.
What a waste.

 

You’re going to die anyway

Live life
Learn how to play the piano
Start a business
Go skydiving
Learn how to swim
Write a book
Paint a painting
Smoke a cigar
Drink your favorite brew
Snorkel
Plant a tree
Major in philosophy
Meditate
Pray
Travel the world
Marry her
Have four children
Tuck them to sleep every night
Kiss your mother
Kiss your wife
Buy a Porsche
Smile.
Cry.
Laugh.
Be human.
So when you take
That
Last
Final
Breath
And become one
With the
Earth again
And your memories flash
Before you
At least your
Last
Few
Memories
Will make
You smile.

 

---

Joshua Wilkinson, a senior at Alabama State University, is from Corona, CA majoring in English with a concentration in writing. He enjoys reading, writing, and visiting art museums in his free time.