The Empty Toolbox

Think of all the skills you have
For living, for dealing with life.

How many times have you shared tips
On how to handle this or that—

Deal with conflict, ask for help,
Not get caught in a traffic jam?

If you’re scared, there’s an industry
Of advice for every topic

And a library of efforts
From the past, deep past, deeper past,

All that eudaemonic input
For living the best kind of life,

And now here you are with your life
In hand, all that good stuff, facing

What isn’t life at all, and life
Seems suddenly irrelevant.