Fill in the blank

©Cameron Altaras

You don’t have to be a show for
-- you fill in the blank –

You do have to show up
And breathe
Exhale the stale stuff
If you’re alive.

You don’t have to be in sync with
-- you fill in the blank –

You do have to tap into the rhythm of your soul
Dance your way through what comes
And sing the music that proclaims
You are alive.

You don’t have to be quoting
-- you fill in the blank –

You do have to will into motion the syllables
Stumbling through grammar’s gates
On their precarious trek from the pit of your gut
Up the rock face protecting your heart
And on across the slippery slopes of your throat
If you’re to live the truth
That is your life.