Once you decide it counts

Put a box on the left

Place it somewhere convenient on the list

Under the proper heading

(That way, you know you’re alive)

Once you notice the box

Is only ever empty

Or it’s checked

Mark it “repeat”

(That way, you know you’re living)

When you realize your life

Is a line of boxes

On a page

In a stack

Look at where you’re sitting

Realize you’re waiting for your laundry

And all you can ever have

Is waiting for your laundry

Or the contour of your shoes

Or how cold it is in this room