The body politic

It’s a marriage
         of sorts
sometimes the body
         nags at the mind
sometimes the mind
         feels obliged
to tear the body
         off a strip
but they get along
         they’ve been together
for sixty-five years
         grown used to each other’s
idiosyncracies and special needs

The body could do
         with a little more love
the mind with a little more
         discipline from the body
The mind says to the body
         pull your weight you oaf
The body says to the mind
         show a little respect
or I’ll dump you
         but it’s been good
and I’d hate to see them
         go their separate ways

John Lyons