I’d Rather

I'd rather
look at the landscape at the beach
than a pretty picture on a wall
Walk in the park than through an art gallery
Enjoy it than Facebook it
Do it than watch it

I'd rather
play music badly
than listen to it expertly played
Eat what I've grown
than something fancy I can't pronounce
Make it than buy it

I'd rather
leave my phone behind and risk missing out
than take it with me, hoping
Miss a call than miss what’s happening
Be with you than txt you

I'd rather
be by myself than try too hard to be with others
Get hurt than close my heart
Walk in the dark than be scared of it
Risk being embarrassed
than be compelled to prove I'm right

JANE O’SHEA
from ‘In Your Smallest Pocket’