"Breakin' a Sweat"

wearing a thirty-something suit
she seeks the Warrior athlete within
stepping up, pulses pounding
movement, expanse, breath anew
a task again! a new bright task...
to breathe, to work hard
the warrior's body,
rusty
with neglect, passivity of years
remembering still
she remembers the old work...
how the machine was oiled
the warrior walks faster,
arms lunging forward--back straighter, solid trodding
systems flood with light and energy,
redness coloring the skin, nerves tensing alive!
alive again...what a rush, what a power, what a grand pain to be...
now the task, more painful still,
the reluctant warrior lays on the back, hands clasped behind
she tilts a might forward...
repeatedly so....repeatedly so, repeatedly so...she does not know her limits this time...only stopping shy...of
smelling burnt toast