The why

Do it for the look

that's just beyond your reach.

Do it for religion

for everything they preach.

Do it for your family

for your friends and for your cat.

Do it for everyone

that's ever called you fat.

Do it for your schoolmates

for your teachers and your thighs.

Do it for that feeling

that is falling asleep at night. 

Do it for your skin

that is stretched beyond repair.

Do it for your pretty face

for that glassy eyed stare. 

Do it for those hallways

that creak under your step.

Do it for your sleeping bags

so they'll never have to stretch.

Do it for your family

buying all that food.

Do it for those red train seats

so you can spare some room.

Do it for your thoughts

that begin to croak and grumble.

Do it for your shaky voice;

so you'll never again stumble. 

Do it for your smile and frown

for that perfected little sneer.

Do it just to know you can

so you keep it up for years.

Do it for your self and you

to wake and not regret.

Do it so the lakes and oceans

have nothing to render wet. 

Do it so you're walking through

mist and you are foggy.

Do it so the rain will never

ever make you soggy.

Do it for your art

for your stories and your rhymes. 

Do it for your little words

so dark they're lost in time.

Do it for your age

for your generation's rep.

Do it so you can walk

without ever hearing your step.