I should have said yes… kissed more girls
and more boys who looked like girls
and more girls who looked like boys.

I should have said yes
to not getting married.

I should have said yes to college earlier
and yes to touring even earlier than that.

I should have said yes to Juilliard.

I should have said yes
to American Records
and yes to Willie K

and yes to the extra scoops of ice cream
that drifted in and out of my life

and yes to more random encounters
with beautiful strangers.

I should have said yes
to my glorious big belly
and luscious round ass

yes to more braless days.

I should have said yes
to honing deaf ears
for other people’s critical thoughts.

I should have said yes
to saying no to fear.

I should have said yes to permission.