Instructions for Memory

1.

Unless you go under February, it will hurt.
Allow it free passage through every crack in your bodily fortress,
or you will have to hide during most of it,
and that's no fun.
Stop complaining and build yourself a shelter.
Gather some victuals, a few warm scraps, your favorite photograph.
Site it where you can best see the city you love
and begin to hunker down.
Wind yourself up in fur and woolens,
put up a kettle for hot tea,
save the bones for broth.
You will know when it is time to break the seal
and emerge like a leaf-cradled chrysalis.
When you present yourself to the throngs,
we will applaud and welcome
your grace among us.

2.

Instructions for Memory

Unless you go under memory, it will hurt.
Allow it free music through every crack
in your bodily fortress, or you will have to
hide across most of it,
and that's no fun.
Stop complaining and build yourself
a sorrow.
Gather some victuals, a few warm scraps,
your favorite cloud.
Site it where you can best see
the country you love
and open to hunker down.
Wind yourself up in fur and woolens,
put up a kettle for hot tea,
save the bones for broth.
You will know when it is time to
ruin the seal
and emerge like a smoke-cradled chrysalis.
When you present yourself to the throngs,
we will applaud and welcome
your despair among us.