I begin the day
with that old, familiar pain
such a constant companion
such a reminder of my age
it increases and decreases
but it never goes away
when I'm sitting
(in the proper position)
or lying down
I can relax with it
but as soon as I take
that first step out of bed
it is right there
with me
bending me to its will
forward and to the right
I hate the way it causes me to stand
I hate that I can only be on my feet
for a short while
the bright side is that
as long as it is there
I know I'm still alive