Dear Heart

Stiff this morning, a knot

in each shoulder and another

in one calf, I remember my grandpa

sitting here, banging the glass

at neighbor cats. He was right:

they’re always up to trouble, digging

by the azaleas. Legs extended,

I watch the blood pulsing

past my right ankle. What else

might my body be up to? Listen,

I’ll skip the dish of butter

softening on the counter. I’ll eat

expensive steel-cut oatmeal

with extra fiber. Please be good to me.