Poem of the Week: Notice by Steve Kowit

Today's poem is a fun little one about mortality. Yeah, I know, not the most fun topic, yet Steve Kowit approaches it with his tongue in his cheek, catching us off guard with his black comedy and his flippant tone. Like all good poems, this one will make you think and make you feel.



Notice
Steve Kowit

This evening, the sturdy Levis
I wore every day for over a year
& which seemed to the end in perfect condition,
suddenly tore.
How or why I don't know,
but there it was - a big rip at the crotch.
A month ago my friend Nick
walked off a racquetball court,
showered,
got into his street clothes,
& halfway home collapsed & died.
Take heed you who read this
& drop to your knees now & again
like the poet Christopher Smart
& kiss the earth & be joyful
& make much of your time
& be kindly to everyone,
even to those who do not deserve it.
For although you may not believe it will happen,
you too will one day be gone.
I, whose Levis ripped at the crotch
for no reason,
assure you that such is the case.
Pass it on.