Screed for Those Entering the World as Human Beings

You may have a pretty face
and a pretty body.

You’ll have to take care of your body,
because it won’t last forever in any case.

You’ll meet with other creatures,
both human and non-human.

You might love them or hate them, but
they’ll all just be different versions of you.

You’ll be able to consume things through your mouth—
but not just anything.

Oral consumption will constitute as much
as ninety-five percent of your enjoyment of life.

Then you’ll have to pass matter out of yourself.
This will be messy, and also smelly.

You’ll need to clean yourself with plenty of water—even so,
your body will always still have some shit on it.

But even in the desert you’ll have to keep your body watered.
If water is not there for you, you’ll die.

You’ll die eventually anyway, meaning
you won’t be in the world anymore.

Where will you be?
Well, clearly,

you’ll be right back here,

awaiting your next assignment.