Frustration with Progression

By: Joe van Koeverden, Dec./22

It is early but I can’t sleep

Toss and turn, counting sheep

Can’t get comfy with pillows galore

Finally give up and walk out the door.

Will start my day with things to be done

though the battle to sleep was not won!

A disease that takes all my determination

Just to start the day is the cause of my frustration

As I did not sleep enough to ensure participation

The progressive worsening of my condition

Leaves me with the dire acceptation

This will not end in acclamation!

We head to the hills for a challenging walk

But my old dog, Riley is not the only one to baulk.

We take the short way home to accommodate

With the cold wind blowing unable to self-motivate

I try to push through the stiffness to stimulate

But the muscles still unwilling to cooperate.

The walk takes longer every year

As I witness the seasonal variation

And my own gradual deterioration

Of both strength and motivation

To do enough physical participation

To maintain my fitness determination.

Its progression is my regression

My ability to fight is its blight

Its angle of progress is my curve of digress

My muscle atrophy is its major trophy

Its winning will leave me spinning

My words of rhyme for all time.