Prison Workout

The slit opens 
I remember I’m here 
pain dares me 
just to feel 

I greet the body 
with a sort of prayer  
then think of anything other than this 

I go down to the floor  hope I return 
every breath 
a calculated concern 

calendar on the wall  needles on the clock 
up against nerve 
muscles and blood 

halfway done  
something takes over 
the self-talk promise 
that things get better 

hope is the last thing 
that ever leaves 
wrapped up in a swirl 
of sweat and endorphins