Morning Routine

 

Up at 7am

Trudging wearily out

Into the weather

With your sweats

And running shoes on.

 

Muscles stretched long

Then exercised

For firmness and tone

Then off to run

A two-mile course.

 

Always there is pain,

An ache here

And tightness there,

Programmed to distract

Pass a litany of thoughts.

 

This morning ritual

Wrought with knots

And gasping breath

Is self-discipline

At its best.

 

Though masochism

Is not you aim

It's for good health

And stamina----

All worth the pain.

 

You know without doubt

The benefits gained

From diligence

And persistence

For health and well-being.

 

There begs a question

From those

Who look on,

In matters of romance

A contradiction exists.

 

If by experience

You know it's hard work

That pays off,

And love from another

You desperately want

 

How foolishly blind

And remiss can you be?

Is the answer

Not simple and found

In your morning routine?

 

Were you to quit running,

Though the pain would cease,

T'would be temporary

The pleasure

Of no morning routine.

 

Think, my dear man,

Of the pleasures gained

From hard work

And self-discipline

And just a little pain.

 

 

B. Benjamin                                                                                         

BBP102