Get Real – Planet Alex
Tick-Tock Tick-Tock
***
***
Tick-Tock Tick-Tock
We should all think about death more often. Maybe even obsess about it. We are all going to die. Tick-tock tick-tock. Being a recovered perfectionist, this has not been easy to accept. But yes, no matter how spotless my kitchen is, how organized my tools are, how healthy my food is, how biodegradable my detergent is, how tidy my email inbox is, how many likes I get on Facebook, or how much love I put into my artwork, I am going to die and I don’t know when. Sometimes I forget, and spend lots of time fretting over how to promote my projects or why I’m not selling more. And then I do this little mental exercise where I imagine myself very old and on my deathbed. I imagine what that me would say to this me. Would I say that I wished I had spent more time cleaning house or reading books about self-promotion? Or would I say I wished I had spent more time making art or spending time with loved ones? Tick-tock tick-tock. I feel a sense of urgency. I don’t think I have the time to worry about not being smart enough, clean enough, or successful enough. The only thing that should worry me is not living fully, not getting my art done, not leaving something behind that can help someone else.
you are a
MIRACLE
so
go ahead
get angry and shout
feel bothered and pout
impatient and greedy
sorry and needy
all those feelings
they come and go
there’s more to being you
deep down inside
you know
there’s music in your voice
and wonder in your eyes
there’s magic in your smile
and wisdom in your sighs
so
go ahead, be a monster
but don’t forget to smile
your wonderful smile
can light up the world
because YOU are a miracle
GO AHEAD
***
Alex Mitchell
_________
Illustrations and poem from Alex Mitchell’s bilingual picture poem book “Go Ahead, Be A Monster, But Don’t Forget To Smile.”
Watch the book trailer: https://youtu.be/DCWPNCaCgCw
For a full book preview online, go to Blurb.com: http://www.blurb.com/books/4114245-go-ahead-be-a-monster-but-don-t-forget-to-smile