The pain in my back

The pain in my back feels like the children’s story I haven’t finished

It feels like dishonesty and the very root of me that I’m most afraid of owning

It feels like there’s no use standing because it hurts too much to keep it up

It feels like the more I stretch, the more hurt spreads to other places in my body

It feels like I have to keep reminding myself to engage my stomach muscles to help my back carry the load of my body.

My bones have been carrying me around for over 30 years

            And they need some greasing.

I’m holding on tight to this tension

            Once I let go my focus will shift elsewhere.

I’m having trouble adapting and going with the flow,

            Following the path of least resistance.

My back hurts most when I reflect on habits of mine

            I wish I didn’t have.