-when you're old. an advisory-

don't feign an impression of long windedness

or mention frustration over the forgotten typewriter

don't tell them that you're young at heart

or allow them to pretend that they think you matter

don't believe they always appreciate what you've given them

or try to appear any differently than your current moment

don't bother to relay the order of an active history

or sheepishly excuse your behavior

don't try to advise them of love's possibilities

or explain how she quietly managed the laws of her beauty

don't try to define what it was you saw in the glance of her mouth

or of how the glance of her eyes filled a void in your world

don't let them convince you that they know what it is you like

don’t abandon the beauties that passed through the years yet remain

in your heart.

follow these principles 

and live beyond the borders they'll lovingly set for you.

                                                                   fall river