Image by Annisa Hale/ Film processed by Moody's Film Lab, © All Rights Reserved.
When in Doubt
When in doubt,
Wear faux leopard.
When in doubt,
Err on the side of generosity.
When in doubt,
Greet everyone as you would the Buddha.
When in doubt,
Collect blessings from those who own nothing.
When in doubt,
Absorb biographies to avoid life’s major mistakes.
When in doubt,
Make life’s major mistakes.
When in doubt,
Pay attention to the vendor shouting ‘Diooooos,’
Even when you find out he was only shouting, ‘Gaaaaas.’
When in doubt,
Carry a handkerchief and a fan.
When in doubt,
Thank everyone. Twice.
When in doubt,
Heed the clouds.
When in doubt,
Sleep on it.
When in doubt,
Treat all sentient and insentient beings as kin.
When in doubt,
Forgive us our myopia
As we forgive those who are myopic against us.
When in doubt,
Unreel your grief to a tree.
When in doubt,
Remember this.
We are all on a
Caucus-race.
There is no start.
No finish.
Everyone wins.
Sandra Cisneros, “When in Doubt” from Woman Without Shame. Copyright © 2023 by Sandra Cisneros. Reprinted with the permission of the poet. All rights reserved.
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