Upon awakening................

First morning stretch

Not a seventh-inning stretch -
The First One Of The Day
that nearly overcomes you
When you simultaneously strain
For the unreachable behind you
And whatever may be beyond
Your un-toe-able feet;

As you awaken
After slumbering in one position
Too long, maybe;

For hours?

Your old body
Pumps juice
Into your frayed
but still working wings
For another -
Yet another
NEW and blessed day

And as it happens,
This unplanned stretch
You, the fortunate one –
On the opposite of a torture rack –
In a comfortable bed
Have got to say

From the bottom of your heart and guts,
Beneath the twisted torpor
Of a still-draped sheet

As bones realign;

“OO-OO-oo-oo AHHHH!”