HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD It’s really a lot simpler than you think. On your way to the office start with the Brahms String Quintet in G through the headphones, read an article on Christo and Jeanne-Claude once you get on the subway, (if you can look forward to the unfurling of their new work in a couple of weeks all the better), help a random woman carry her stroller up three flights of stairs to sidewalk level (not because she asked but because she looked) while staring the little kid in the eyes all the way, wave goodbye, mail that favorite new CD to your favorite ex-girlfriend along with a copy of what you just read, and then write this poem all before doing any goddamn ‘work’ because you can and because you’re more inspired than anyone else you’ve ever known. Voila. February 1, 2005 © Ben Gerstein