5 Minutes

You can do anything for 5 minutes.       

            A short mantra pushing you in those final moments

            When that ache in your lower back

            Compliments the burning in your thighs

            And the shortness of your breath.

            Keep going,

You can do anything for 4 minutes.       

            Rest a moment beside a curtain of water

            On slick, glistening rocks, unaware

            The next moments carve a course of possibilities

            As turbulent and smooth as the river ahead.

            Don’t stop,

You can do anything for 3 minutes.       

            Imitate Gene Kelly without a care in the world

            As heavy drops rap on the umbrella

            Or splash on your face and shoulders

            As you lose yourself in swinging around a lamppost.

            Concentrate,

You can do anything for 2 minutes.

            Feel the warmth envelope you

            As a light breeze plays across your face.

            Breathe in the pollen filled air, listening

            To cheery birds and praying not to sneeze.

            Almost there,

You can do anything for 1 minute.        

            Seek the source of the cool air that brushes,

            Briefly, over your burning, drenched skin.

            It’s a tempting lure away from the machine,

            But victory and accomplishment are close at hand.

            Push harder,

You can do anything for 30 seconds.

            Even die a little, but not really.

            Hold your breath and feel the ease in the

            First 10 seconds before your lungs burn and chest tightens

            And eventually forces you to suck in fresh air.

            Count down,

5…4…3…2…1.

In 5 minutes, you just surpassed your expectations

Of yourself and pulled through.

Body aches and muscles sore, but in that good,

I finished something, sort of way.

You can thank a wandering mind later.