1. Juice cleanse;
2. Buy goggles;
3. Swim;
4. Go to the orthodontist;

for realignment of
one derailing tooth,
due to soothing symmetry undone
induced cowardice
notions of self-confidence gone
in all realms once reigned confident,
exempli gratia:
Is it ok to keep teaching when
pseudo relation number three
and previous competitor number four
got into Harvard Law?

From deep within
an insight crawls:
It’s not about Harvard.
It’s not about law.
Phew, the tooth’s root ache—
neurology prevails;
cheer, here, here:
unfortunately, it’s self, and the actions of
the clock ticking
who has the credit card
with the miles
and why it matters
if I meant for this to be the way
things ended
up and am I mad at myself
for not prophesizing the future, again?

Why do I treat my life
like a math problem
I was never good at?

The concept of success so vague
and still fighting it everyday
battling like it’s as real as the not dream
of a dream within a dream
sweaty sheets all day long
as if I have control of the brittleness
of my nails
the way my canine sticks out
in my father’s image.

However, the flowers
in a bouquet
are not hereditary.

Watch a point in the distance,
unaware,
feet walk you there
geographing,
the coy, corrosive, coordinated dance
of systemization.

5. Accept a smile
is not about the reflection.