This Body

has carried me for 64 years
through laughter and tears
given birth to two babies
attracted its full share of men
climbed hills and swum laps
dug gardens and weeded the lawn
painted rooms and cooked meals
danced -- alone, with a partner, in a group
run for sheer pleasure
skipped, hopped, jumped
done my bidding time and again
walked for hours, slept soundly

how odd that only now
when moving sometimes hurts
when sleep is often interrupted
when stamina is low --
only now do I
appreciate it.