2007/helmet

My back hurts,
my head a gripping helmet.
Nerve pain runs down
my inner arms.
I wait for the sun
to come out,
for the day to warm up.
For my body to slough off
its misery,
and get on with its day.

Slower this morning than usual,
I try not to worry about time,
about the frost-bitten plants
in the yard,
about the state of my life
in general.
I make a second cup,
or is it my third.
It doesn’t matter,
I will sit and read
and sip and wait.

2/6/07