The Body Retreats

Loss of response of toes, legs turned to jelly,
We’re fighting rearguard actions through the body:
The hair deserting, skin becoming shoddy,
Strengths all withdraw - to reinforce the belly.
Under sustained attacks, the ankles fail,
Cannot provide support. Legs mutiny,
They seize the muscles when no scrutiny
At night stops leg cramps grabbing to impale.

Stamina fading in both heart and lung,
Sex organs weakened, bold lusts dying back,
Skull’s the last stronghold where all force retreats.
With fading senses out the window flung,
Success is redefined not as Attack,
But barely maintained memory and wits.

Robin Helweg-Larsen

If you have any comments on this poem, Robin Helweg-Larsen  would be pleased to hear from you.