I sit with the sweet pain 
Of remonstrating muscles 
Aching tendons 
It’s been a good day 
I’ve clocked my vital number
Of steps again 
Day Five. Five days. Day Five
Of doing my best 
The precious little victories  
Sit like shiny safety pins 
In my body. Their lancing points 
Glimmering. Abrading. Wounding 
Forcing tiny trickles of red-hot plasma
To run outside my veins 
The sweet agony of pain 
Reminding me that I’m still alive
I’m still surviving, still striving
Still clocking all the steps 
That keep this life ongoing
Going on. Ongoing. Going on 
I breathe in deeply. Tonight 
I am serene, there will be no dreams 
To torture or torment me. Tonight 
In her benumbing arms I will
let sleep take me … I breathe out 
As I lie down with my gentle pain.