make sure your eyes
don't succumb
to the dulling
over time,
the way that there was incessant light and aliveness

make sure the hard years and the happy years
don't take over your eyes
make sure you still have slight smiles,
and the let the corners edge upwards

make sure you let whatever is hopeful in you
continue beyond the harshness

find the passion in you and hang on to it
for it is dear and you are precious;

and this is constant