Two quarter hours sitting in the sun
today, away from home and every chore,
I processed stillness as a sort of fun,
and felt I needn’t ask for any more.
But I was with a relative who’s one
I like to visit. And I also knew
the only act remaining to be done
was lunch of wine and ahi, with this view.
I bid the kids to photo what they took
from chugging gently on this slope today.
The five of us were seated for a look
at Hood and its environs. I’ll convey
some words, but they could try to make a book
of this experience. I want to say
the trip was passing excellent and fine,
but I’ve imbibed about two cups of wine.
Like any animal, I note what moves.
No matter if it’s predator or prey,
attention’s caught by motion and behooves
at least alertness. Mostly I obey,
but evolution sometimes disimproves,
and veers from wisdom’s route so far away,
I am resisting instinct’s pattern, till
I reap the good of seeing what is still.
I haven’t paced so far without a rest
in many months. I cannot recollect
the last time, and I never would have guessed
it could be quite this easy. I’d expect
to feel my knees – I wear an 8-pound vest –
but I am nearly there when I detect
a need to lift my feet – fatigue that knocks,
but I keep on. It’s only 10 more blocks.
Intending yesterday to walk today
to work, a trek I’ve made a time or three,
I went to bed and rested, but the way
my legs at 3 am appeared to be –
a little stiff and almost sore in knee –
encouraged that I reevaluate.
But now, awake, with movement rather free,
I plan to start. I’ll test my weighted gait.
Refusing hearing aids (we don’t know why),
the conversation suffers even more
than when it simply angered me to cry
(unfiltered and so harsh she was before).
No matter how on telephone we try
to garner sense, it’s ever trending poor.
In person even we can’t make her hear,
so we joke privately, although she’s near.
It wasn’t till I reached into my pack
to pull my wallet for the snacks in hand,
that I perceived its absence. Round my back
an empty pocket made me understand
I had no wherewithal. But from my stand
I didn’t fret. I felt surprised with calm.
Near certain I’d not transferred it as planned,
I simply moved those snacks to shelf from palm.
I measured my old suitcase yesterday.
Equipped with its dimensions, I then sought
a case of like size and two wheels, the way
I like a bag designed, that can be brought
to lugging angle, tipped to follow, caught
by handle. I don’t need much space or weight.
In 20 minutes I compared and bought
new baggage/luggage to encase my freight.
Now there are two pneumatic dragons where
I wait to board the bus for home. My view
comprised a solo monster filled with air.
Now there are two.
I’ve never been inside the store, that’s true,
and bend away from such, but as a lair
for cute I use these lines to pay them due
attention and appreciate the care
a merchant grants to walkers-by. We’re few
compared to cars, but grateful and aware
now there are two.
Deliberately I walked a longer route,
and shopped before embarking on the train.
My need for exercise became acute
and happily I added steps. No pain
was dogging me and yes, my aging brain
receives from ambulation benefit.
At night I’ll run TV to entertain,
but afternoon outside’s appropriate.
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