In Which I Share Some Folk Wisdom That Works

The best of all protection from the sun
And its most harmful ultraviolet rays,
Is long-sleeved shirts, high collars... that's no fun,
However, if, like most, you have a craze
To show off your well-turned and pasty limbs.
A miracle goop's on the market, though:
They call it sunscreen, which stuff at least dims
The angry red and blistering, you know.
Bar those, once burnt, one remedy remains,
On hand in ev'ry kitchen (one need not
Grow fancy plants or go to special pains
To buy some aloe vera gel); you've got
To splash some vinegar upon your burns.
The smell's not great; but oh, the sweet returns!

BONUS SONNET: In Which I Give Myself Very Good Advice

Once in a while, I find something so good

My whole life brightens up as a result.

Once that occurs, I find, try as I would

I can't contain the urge to just exult

In ev'ry moment, how things might have changed.

But patience counsels that I halt my song

Until some other things are so arranged

That I am not rejoicing in a wrong

That I'll regret for life. This kind of hurts,

Especially since I don't get to decide

Unless my choice is walking, which subverts

My ev'ry instinct; too much skin, I find

Is in this game. I tell myself, once more

That some things are worth waiting mutely for.