How to write a poem

It helps if you
hoard expensive chocolate
drink dry, skinny half-caf cappuccinos
choke down two calcium horse pills every morning
question the relevance of god
marry a man with fierce morals &
great legs &
a collection of red-handled kitchen utensils
who loves to play horse even if you beat him
have only dependents who photosynthesize &
a big front porch & a gas furnace in the cellar
rake your neighbors’ maple leaves
eat homemade split pea soup
e-mail your sister when you get a chance
step lightly
live in the city
ignore those who vex you
read the Tao Te Ching and Lorca
fall asleep watching World’s Wildest Police Videos
vacation only in Siberia.