Poem: "A Position of Defeat 22"




22.

crushing the burntout sun under my heel
i stomp both feet to get the blood flowing
the trees are stuck between dying and growing
the water is too weak against the wheel

the women on the exercise machines
are back after a guilty hiatus
the men are flexing their deltoideus
pumped up by growth-enhancement vitamins

they chase an image of their sunny youth
receding further even as they strive
they age at twenty-four or twenty-five
the trees are pushing north while heading south


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