Behave as though
everything
you do
matters
even when nothing does
yes
else when the dog
breaks free of its leash
as you walk along the river
you’ll stand
untethered
slack
loosened from the world
and feel
nothing
at all
numb audience
to giddy
careless freedom
scored against the sand
in ever shrinking loops
until the dog tires
settles at your feet
to eat goose shit

you’ll hangman-noose
the broken length
around her neck
wait for tension
and go on

only then

unless
you believe
this matters