but she didn't

she should have kept to the flowers and sunshine
ignored the tangled overgrown vines
but she didn't
should have trusted the golden
should have savored the summers
loved her mother
but she didn't

she should have woken up on Saturday--canceled the whole thing
should have met him at the movie when she said she would
but she didn't
should have taken the ticket and left the farm
should have tilted the windmill and left at sunrise
(no surprise)
she didn't

she should have kept looking at the possible
not settling for the optional
should have kissed him longer
should have cleared the path
settled the score
she should have fought a little bit more
but she didn't

what you are waiting for--
time is blue
and vastness awaits you
what are you waiting for
what are you waiting for

she should have picked up the coffee
tidied the house
tendered the dogs, the fear, the doubt
she should have sighed deeply and done the expected
shelved the stars and this life accepted
but she didn't ...