A score of years ago a friend told me,
responding to my marveling how fit
her husband was, four years past seventy
and twenty-eight our senior: “Oh, he lit
upon a method to maintain his powers.
The first thing every morning he heads out
to exercise and stretch, for three full hours.
He claims that’s what his vigor’s all about.”

“Impressive discipline,” was then my thought,
“astounding as the man’s virility.”
I little dreamed that I’d in time be brought
to mimic him, but flexibility
eludes me now – I shuffle when I rise,
until caffeine and lots of exercise.