Ph: Health: Too Focused On Health Poem by Brian Johnston

Retirement comes, I'm at loose ends,
But blessed to have some loyal friends
From work, from church, from family,
And tennis, gym less formally,
A men's group too for two decades,
My social life had no blockades.
I hadn't started writing yet,
So not so many friends from Net.

In gyms, I met folk quite devout
For staying fit and working out.
I'd never been an athlete,
At first, routines were quite a treat,
Pumped iron and swam and grew quite strong,
But pressed too hard and worked too long,
Was plagued in fact by injury,
This latest gig a misery.

Wrecked both my shoulders swimming laps,
The older prone to such mishaps?
I know this now but then naive,
Sought no advice, did not conceive
My older body worse for wear,
Would soon require high-priced repair!
Each shoulder took six months to mend,
One wiser might not want to spend.

A health investment worth the price,
But time regained, I'd seek advice,
Before pursuing fitness so,
More balance lead to healthy glow
(Though I don't make Charles Atlas proud.)
Dare I to say these words out loud?
Just health! What need have I for fame!
Let me be me, where is the shame?


Brian Johnston
15th of June 2018