Without bodily care

A man must feel

strong and sound

His body must

he be able to trust

or his spirit will leave

before he lies down

It’s a lost joy

the sheer existence

of strength untapped

of speed uncapped

it’s age relentless

always insistent

That he should give out

before the days labor

before the sun extinguish

his resolve relinquish

and become infirm

in time to favor

A pain, a pull

a stiffness, a tear

A man must feel

that he has the will

to go it alone

without bodily care

6/23/02