Once I sprained both
ankles playing basketball.
Sedentary, house-bound
for weeks, I smoked pot,
snorted coke, chased speed
with shots of whiskey. Take that,
brain! Take that, heart & take
that, liver! Punishment more
than recreation. We both survived,
my body & I. Here we are.
I can’t hike. I can’t walk
100 yards without limping,
my left arch collapsed, the cartilage
in my right hip gone. I can
ride my bike. I can even dance
a little. My lucky stars, thank
you for these small favors.
