Thank God That You Are Still Alive.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

speak to yourself
offer a toast to loneliness
dance with your shadows
let the moon
cast the light
open your windows
let the air and wind be
your guests
write if you will
do not mind grammar and style
or what language to use

whirl, rotate,
collide with what life is giving
grab, toss, stamp,
shake and tremble on the floor

jump if you can
run around, rest, mimic the murmurs of
those wind chimes

be drunk to the happy moments that
life is still giving you

be human
(if you could, try being
god yourself)

laugh, gargle, swallow,
spit, lick, or be tongue-tied
have those slip of the tongues
tickle and heckle
chew some more, swallow again,
do whatever you want,

thank your God
because today
you are still alive.