Not a Haiku, but still a poem

And themes were only meant to be guidelines, right? So here goes.

A GUIDE TO LIFE ACCORDING TO ME
(An Alphabet Poem)

A raise of a glass, a turn of a head
Be the best you can be as you roll out of bed
Create the world you want for yourself and others
Don't be afraid to hide under the covers
Exaggerate the truth, but only sometimes
Forget the past; to yesterday there are no rhymes
Google your boss but only when desperate
Hurry home for comfort and you will find it quite pleasant
I believe there is no cure for homesickness
Just put in a tape and you'll be all set-ness.
Kindness
Love, peace, and forgiveness to friends
Money is nice but is not a means to an end
Never say no to an opportunity for fun
Open your home to any girl on the run
Pay no attention to gossip or greed
Quick! Run to hide that prisoner you freed
Rest when you need to
Stand still now and then
Take time for yourself
Use all products on the top shelf
Veal is never an answer
When wondering what to cook for dinner
Xenophobia is never smart
Your head is never wiser than your heart
Zeal for life is worth more than a fart.

ABC Poem: A Giraffe, an Elephant, and a Hippo

A giraffe went out one day
Before the skies got gray
Could not see the children
Drive their bikes away
Elephant wanted to be Giraffe's
Friend
Giraffe said to Elephant
Hippo is more like you anyway; Elephant replied:
I don't like Hippo; I want you to stay
Just then Hippo approached Elephant
Kindly, will you tell me why dear Elephant
Love yourself and love me too
Much I see myself in you
Never will I mope about
Other creatures look so stout
Privately, we dance and sing
Quietly, remarks about our weight do sting
Repulsed by other skinny folks, we pachyderms
Stoutly boast
Try being fat and leathery for a day
Usually we are quite gay
Very quickly Elephant realized his mistake
Wondered politely over Hippo's way
Xenophobia: it was in fact his flaw
You are truly beautiful; so am I
Zoos around the world will never be the same

Author's note: An ABC poem is one in which each line of the poem begins with the next chronological letter in the alphabet. Try it. It's much harder than it looks! Taking risks here, people.