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.
