At least a score of years ago, I heard
I’ve osteo-arthritis near my neck.
I tend to clench; I took them at their word,
attended therapy, and felt the wreck
of nape and jawline start to ease a bit.
I learned some stretching exercises then
I still employ when it’s appropriate –
as soon as I feel creak and pain again.

Catastrophe crept up on me last fall,
when someone close and vital nearly fell
who worked so hard for breath he hit the wall
and stroked to almost-death. The doctors tell
us healing isn’t too much to expect.
But I’ve recurring pain now, in my neck.