Joints throb – knees, back, neck;
Mind dwells on the pain like a ball
bouncing down each step with purpose.
At the last step the pain is unbearable.
I close my eyes, search for the current within -
feeble, intermittent, unheeding.
I watch it with purpose. Till it heeds.
I creak down the steps,
carry the ball back,
hold it on my knees -
still warm with
throbbing;
slowly cool
slowly peaceful.