It’s been a killin’ me,

this isthmus between

heel and calf;

This hard providence

In every step I take.

I know one day I will utter

“Imma gonna hit you with mah cane.”

But not yet. Not yet.

The further up

and further in

has slowed now.

I tip my toes not to peek,

but to perk;

I’ll exercise this demon

of strain and

send it off into a

drift of pigs.

Settle down oh

Great Greek one.

End this war between

bone and flesh,

I beg of you, Achilles.