EXERCISES FOR LOSING EXTRA POUNDS IN A SHORT TIME Comments

Lie down. On something hard.

At first comforts' vertebrae might hurt

but gradually and painlessly the spine

of immobility lengthens like a cypress.



Now contract your bad habits

in a rigid line.

Bring your hands loosely to your chest

like makeshift wings of temporary angels.

Don't shift position.

Deftly the supine rows.



Don't be scared. Fear is fattening,

it contains hunger.

Don't snack on sensations. Too many calories.

They're responsible for deprivation bulge.



Eyes closed at all times please.

No misconstruable peeking,

no lollipops of light.

They radiate ultraviolet nostalgia.



Exhale forcefully, lie still,

don't breathe, don't breathe —

you risk imprinting only half

the oarsman on the x-ray.



Surrender now to the slide of sleep.



I'll put on a tape, relax, your mama's

lullaby, sleep my sweet

baby, willing or not.



Weigh yourselves. No moving —

your body has an integrated scale.
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