Staying Vertical

I’m not an athlete although I love tennis, I’ve flirted with fitness for most of my life, Found rewards of a life that’s quite active are Counterproductive to quality midlife. The first problem is you’ve an imbecile’s view, Little chance that you know the real consequence Actions may have or the risks you are taking, With doubt that your motives have logic or sense. You should think of your body as delicate - Injuries cured, still scars carried a lifetime, While trophies you won are just yesterday’s news, This is battle that needs shift of paradigm. Bodies aren’t cars and spare parts aren’t de rigueur And obvious thinking can still be untrue. Though a high flying seed seems so beckoning Don’t be seduced by dreams never thought through. Approaching old age brought some bad health resolves When I thought of new muscle as healthy points, Simple decisions, to not run on pavement, To swim in the future, thus saving my joints. These half-truths cost me dearly as “fitness” led Me by the nose, wrecking both aging shoulders, With six months of quite painful rehab for each. Is this something you want in your health folders? Caution is frequently thrown to the wind when We place too much faith in our most naive view, I felt certain that swimming was gentle but Life may have truths that we all undervalue.  Success is addictive and that did me in, There is joy when your choice seems a blest affair, Joints of a senior are not what my youth had And rotator cuffs soon cried out for repair. Moderation I guess is the sense shared here, Foolish to count on the smile of just pure luck For pride sets the stage for the mighty to fall Unless you’re flattened first by a circus truck! Long Tooth June 12, 2016