Wake-Up Call

There it is again,
the aching.
it’s going to be one of those days
I can tell. The pain,
encircling my knees
travels down the length of my shines,
does a tour of my ankles,
and back up the calves.

My muscles twitch
in an uncontrollable spasm.
As I lay there, I dread
the moment I attempt
to rise.
What if I fall?
It’s happened before…

Heat doesn’t work,
ice is pointless—
there are meds…
they at least dull the ache,
but, stubbornness is a bitch.
I hate the way they make me feel,
besides, I did this to myself—
the years of neglect, I deserve
the pain.

So, I rise and put on my happy face,
it’s time to grin and bear it.
Make you believe
that there is no pain.
It’s all okay
and fool you—
for yet another day.