Cardiac Rehab Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

There’s a place not too far from home
Where old folks go to be not alone,
There they do the most amazing things.
It’s exercise for the mind and body of human beings.

They stretch the muscles and work up a sweat
Then check the pulse and blood pressure yet.
If they’re not fatigued just a bit
Then the specialist will see that they’re too fit.
So they fake it like some other things we know
While others think it’s just for show.

Most of those here are the competitive kind
Which shows what’s going on in their mind.
And on reflection you must decide
It’s the “dog-eat-dog” spirit that they abide,
Which is what led them to this place to be.
It’s the stress of life and misery.

Of course they could go to the local gym
And participate in exercise for her and him,
But since insurance pays most of this cost
Those in rehab are misers, most.
And would never pay full fare
Even if they got better care.

So two or three times a week
You’ll see the gray hairs make the trek
To the clinic where muscles they flex
And bid in an hour of active competition
For the pretty attendant’s attention.

Then it’s off to Ben’n Jerry’s or the french fry place
To build up the cholesterol they’re trying to replace.