VULNERABLE - SAME POEM - DIFFERENT FORM

VULNERABLE Being of a certain age and classed as vulnerable, The Government decreed that I should stay indoors. Perversely, just a month before, my doctor recommended That I should get outside more and get some exercise. I downsized, also doctor’s orders, just a year ago, So I’m stuck here in a single bedroomed flat. It doesn’t have a garden so I can’t pace round out there. It doesn’t have a staircase. So I can’t go up and down. The living room’s just twelve feet long and full of furniture, So I can’t get up a head of steam in there. I found a girl on YouTube (you see, I’m not that old) And tuned into her exercise regime. She says it’s aimed at O.A.P’s to keep them feeling young. I presume that’s why she wears that leotard! Her legs are long and shapely and …..sorry, I digress I must start concentrating on her words. “Reach up to the ceiling, or as far as you are able. Just ignore the creaking if you can. Now, let’s try marching on the spot, raise those knees up high. Bend and touch your toes …your shins? … oh alright, knees.” She shows us lots of other things that she can do with ease. I’m not sure why I’m finding it so hard. Then, suddenly, it’ dawns on me, the advantage that she has. I’ve just been on to eBay to buy a leotard. VULNERABLE – SONNET x TWO The doctor said I need more exercise And shouldn’t spend my days cooped up inside. Then Covid came, the government advise The opposite; I must obey the laws. I downsized (doctor’s orders) just last year. So now I’m in a single bedroomed flat. I have no stairs to exercise on here And nowhere in these rooms to swing a cat. But now I’ve found the answer to my prayer; A way of exercising where I stand. I‘ve gone on line and found a lady there Ready to give us pensioners a hand. And just in case you’ve had a naughty thought, Let me say it’s nothing of that sort. Her method is an exercise routine Designed for older citizens to try. She wears a lycra leotard in green. Her legs are long and …sorry where was I? I must listen. I thing she just began. “Lift up your arms as far as you are able. Try to ignore the creaking if you can. If you must just hang on to the table. Now touch your toes … your shins? All right your knees. So let’s try marching briskly on the spot.” And lots of other things she does with ease. But clearly she has something I have not. I’ve worked out why I’m finding it so hard. Now Amazon have sent a leotard