Alexander Russo

Read at least one poem a day
with or without water,
but in late afternoon or evening
a cocktail might give it added zest.

And don’t forget
you can take your poetry book anywhere —
though you should protect it
when reading underwater.

You might like to read in airplanes,
but if you get airsick don’t forget the bag.
Don’t puke all over your favorite poet.

Reading at breakfast
may stimulate your appetite,
but watch out for coffee drips and don’t
let ham and eggs do ragtime on your pages.

Reading when you go to bed is healthy,
especially a long narrative like Beowulf.
You’ll doze off wading through its pages —
like counting sheep.