Advice for an Existential Dilemma

Over recent years and particularly during the COVID-19 Pandemic, high school mates have created a semi-regular email chain – I call it The Stumps Line.  [“Bold Stumps” being the group members’ nickname.] Dave asked the group one day to share their thoughts about health, life and existence -- which we did. Then, he folded highlights together into a bloody good poem, presented by his courtesy, here. 

Advice for an Existential Dilemma

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 Get up off the crapper, old boy

Lay down your fork and spoon

Gaze past your self-horizons

Take a good look around

 

Walk briskly the streets of Bologna

Carmel Valley, Houston and Racine

See what’s happening with your neighbors

Reach out and help someone

 

Eat Life for Breakfast

It’s better than the alternative brand

Remember Cyndi Lauper

Keep your blender always on

 

Learn to pray in ways that suit you

Honor and cherish everyone you’ve loved

Build a wheelchair ramp to heaven

Make your next shot a worthy one

 

Play the drums in Brusha’s Big Band

Remembering what your grandma said

You don’t need strings on your banjo

Just listen to the music in your head

 

Embrace every brilliant sensation 

Don’t worry about the end

Keep always moving forward

Let your joy make joy for friends

 

Time to celebrate our birthdays

Throw a rager while it’s still light

To every wall, head-first collision

To every stupid injury, fall and fight

 

Cut down on needless calories

Fox News and Facebook too

Get up off the crapper, old man

Drop your fork and spoon.

                     -- Dave Murray and the Bold Stumps of Racine