Before setting out for the day,
bathe your gut with a shot glass

full of Olive oil. There is no evidence
that this makes any sense

medically, but I trust in
Mediterranean wisdom;

they live a long time there.
Every relative I knew from there

lived a long time.They loved
the sun and their gardens. 

Loved the heft of a tomato
in the hand as it came off the vine.

On a cool night, kiss your fingertips
toward heaven and say “thank you”

in whichever language you choose.
It will be understood and you will

live a long life. Every cherished person
in my life offered some gratitude

now and then for their time here.
For the taste of tomatoes in olive oil.

For a convenient, chipped glass
cleaned with care before they retired

for the night, readied for the morning.
For a belief that was not abstract. 

For sunlight in a garden warming them
as they sat at their worn table, waiting in joy

for whatever else
was to come.