Some things are hard to put into words
things that happen in the body
sex
I don’t write erotica
yoga
I am not very spiritual
working out

This brings to mind
things outside the body
the silent subtitled TV’s
around the gym
on different channels
an Adam Sandler movie
a Kardashian
around Easter, graphic descriptions
of crucifixions

meanwhile my body
on the treadmill
pulling weights
stretching, lifting
wondering if these machines
do a thing

In the shower I notice
tone
I have a nice ass
in the mirror
I try to adjust my eye
stop seeking the 17 year old body
I never appreciated
as beautiful
see the middle aged one
the one I have
now
as beautiful
It’s beautiful

(My pants are still too tight
exercise makes me eat)
It’s beautiful

My yoga teacher is 71
the mother of a TV star
smiling, irreverent
our class is noisy, jokey
then she takes us to a place
a place I stretch to
where I feel in my body
Joy Power Great beauty
This body
Right now
I am so happy to have it
It works

Even its flaws
the failed foot surgery
the migraines
the iffy digestion
they work

It aches almost all the time
despite my best efforts
yoga swimming working out
sex
massage when I can get it

But once a week, maybe
I can take it beyond
to acceptance
Joy
this is the body I’ve got

Love is an action

I love it
I love it
I love it