Stretching

May 20

STRETCHING

Stretching is not equivalent to change.  Limbering is nice and warms the muscles, body and soul.  Over-reaching, over-compensation is trauma; it distorts the symmetry and breeds erroneous thinking.  Extension beyond the bounds sets me up for a fall.  I misinterpret touching with fingertips with a firm and able grasp.  I don’t step forward because I believe I have a hand on things, failing to see how this is different from an embrace.  The sinew tears and the fabric of my life is destroyed.  I lean forward but I go nowhere.

Open an old letter and read it with a fresh mind.

*

Inspection

My disease paid a discourtesy call on my bourgeoning sobriety.

Peeked in to look for cracks in my foundation,

weaknesses to exploit.

I recognized the patch job I had toyed with

would have made the easiest of targets for this eroding thug.

I am ever so grateful that I cleaned off all the bricks

and made new mortar.

Built on bedrock my re-laid block

will withstand the indignity of the pounding prodding sickness

which used to inhabit this once dilapidated space.

I can keep the villain at bay

and live my cozy life thanks to a true level

and the handsome turn of my trowel.

You are reading selections from Sober on the Way to Sane and More Lines From My Life by Sherrie Theriault

http://www.amazon.com/Sober-On-The-Way-Sane/dp/1440417342/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388576888&sr=8-1&keywords=sober+on+the+way+to+sane

http://www.amazon.com/More-Lines-From-My-Life/dp/1448677203/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388576956&sr=8-1&keywords=More+Lines+From+My+Life