My body speaks its new language
of delayed aches and unfamiliar
stiffness. No more
elbows grazing my toes
just head between my knees
legs folded at a straight angle
and the loss huddles
between my thighs.
My old words hold the new truth
of my body. I cannot
used to mean I could but
I don’t feel like it, don’t want to,
don’t have time,
maybe I am lazy even
but I cannot.
Now I cannot is
the humbling admission
of a physical constraint
impossible to defeat.
My faithful servant
is speaking in signs of wear
that I cannot ignore
it needs more kindness.
Grey Sparrow Journal 