Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Physical Therapy


Shift your weight,
she says, to the left,
breathe deeply
to lift the right;
my brain laughs
at the novelty
until I laugh back.
Focus. Left. Focus.
Re-teach the brain.
Re-learn, brain,
counterintuitive
as it is. Lean into
the pain, she says,
place the weight
on the pain. Don’t
fight it; move into it.
Surprised, the pain
complies.

This poem is submitted for One Shot Wednesday hosted by One Stop Poetry. To see more submitted poems, please visit One Stop Poetry. The links will be live at 4 p.m. Central time today.
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19 comments:

  1. Louise GallagherJuly 5, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    Ouch!

    Good one Glynn.

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  2. MaureenJuly 5, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    I totally identify.

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  3. Michael DodaroJuly 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    As I'm sure they've told you, backaches do go away. You'll be back on your bike in a few days.

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  4. Brian MillerJuly 5, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    on one level this hurts on another there is relief...i hear you...crushed both legs at 16 and had to go through PT...not a lot of fun at times...

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  5. Pat HattJuly 5, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    No aches and pains yet, but this doesn't sound fun, although when relief comes can go back to fun.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    That...does not sound pleasant at all. Very thankful for health...reminds me of my brother, though. He's going through physical therapy himself at the moment, following surgery on his back...

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  7. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    This is a fine little poem. I love the use of common phrases and working them into a rhythm, The ending works perfectly.

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  8. LibbyJuly 5, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Love this, seems like a poetic diary of your pain and treatment. Libby @Libbypoetry

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  9. ayalaJuly 5, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    It is a gift to turn poetry from moments like these...and you have the gift!

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  10. UnknownJuly 5, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    Don't ever go into labour Glenn! LOL A good write here.

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  11. Ben LanghinrichsJuly 5, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    It is all too easy to feel the pain. Ugh, I keep having to wiggle my toes to be sure they won't hurt.

    Good poem.

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  12. CMJuly 5, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Oh nice write, I could actually FEEL this one! Totally been there too. Hang in there, it will get better :-)

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  13. Joseph HeschJuly 5, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    So many use poetry to write away their emotional pain. In a clever piece of verse, you appear to have written away physical pain, as well. Well done, Glynn!

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  14. PatriciaJuly 6, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Glad you are getting some help. Your descriptions actually had me lifting mine... haha. Pain complies when we stop fearing it too. Thank God for PTs. Continued blessings of healing.

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  15. JerryJuly 6, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    counterintuitive...says it all.

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  16. UnknownJuly 6, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    It seems an odd concept but moving to the pain is a beautiful expression of the way our body heals. Great write ~ Rose

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  17. AnonymousJuly 6, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    concrete,yet more than concrete, and a perfect ending :)

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  18. Megan WillomeJuly 7, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Exquisite description.

    Praying you get better soon.

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  19. Ann GrenierJuly 9, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    An encouraging poem Glynn. Lean into the pain , and create poetry---

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