Cleaning, put the these and those Out into the this and the that: Banana peel into the flowerbed. And piles will rise. Sweep once the piles unpile. Maybe we should make a list. Sleeping, avoid talking to your heroes While you're dreaming. Walk away or stand by your distance, But be cool, fool. And man, if Ellington bulldogs you Like he last night bulldogged me... Swing a little lassie, shine a little maybe, Fix the broke wagon, drag some revelating. Cottontail, Red Balloon... Lord, what's the matter with me? Loving, never bend the pages Of her favorite book. Use a movie stub or some cursived postcard. And honey, cook with honey, And try to make the good mornings funny. Pray like you're a kid. Spending, counting chickens often Necessitates the touching of your chickens. Who wants some sick and dirty old bird? And what if it dies? Goodbye. Ain't like there's a chicken coop bank in the sky. Think it's your turn to pick up the tab. Traveling, never knock a spider web Unattached to your porch Or leave your memories on the roof of your car. The grass back home: My, how it must've grown. Screw the wicker huts, the tigers, the Goyas. Waiting, the neighborhood's kitchens Will remind you to eat - Smoke burning off the grills like the hours. If the fire tires, There's wood stacked out back in a pile. Play that song again.