I’m never quite sure when arising
As it’s always a wee bit surprising
Will I hobble or limp
Will I look like a gimp
Or be ready to start exercising?
It’s difficult knowing which bit
Of this aging body might quit
Will the back or the hip
Make me stumble or trip
Or is the knee why I’ll sit?
I never know with my frame
Which joint today will be lame
When they give me concerns
They like to take turns
Making it seem like a game.
My first step is anyone’s guess
And I really have to confess
It’s actually fun
To find out which one
Will be able to handle the stress.
Yet still I walk and I play
Enjoying and loving each day
For all I’ve withstood
Life is still good
So arthritis will not have its way!
Al Hood 2016
The Cvillean 
It’s even trickier when you live in a two-story house. That first step down in the morning tells lots of tales.
LOL! Love this poem. Susie sent me and I’m glad she did, this was a great introduction to your blog.
Thanks, Dana. Under my yearbook picture in high school, the editors put the quote “Life is a jest that has just begun.” Do you think they knew something?
Hi Al! Susie sent me over from her party:) Lots of aches and pains for this gal as well but I just keep movin!
Keep on movin’ is the secret, Lynn. Now if only I can find a way to exercise while I’m sleeping I’ll be good to go. Thanks for the visit…..on my way over to your place for a read and cup of tea (two sugars please.)
Susie sent me 🙂 I LOVED reading this.
Thanks, Pinky (may I call you Pinky?). You are eons away from having to worry about this shuffle, but it’s always good to look ahead!
Yes 🙂
Welll it reminded me of my husband!
Lol…I hear you there. The back, the hip, the feet maybe. Getting old is not for wimps.
Yes, Mary, it’s a dirty job, but thanks goodness people like us are up to the challenge, n’est ce pas?
That’s a great attitude! I don’t have arthritis, but I do get stiff!
Love the poem!
Not to worry, Susie, I have enough for the both of us.
P.S. You throw a pretty neat blog party. Thanks.
Well good for you, not giving in. Around here its a race to the finish among the human bodies, the animals, the garden, and the house.
Like the man said: “Ya gotta keep on keepin on!”
Part of me just wants to go “lalalalalalalala I can’t hear you!”
For me, it’s the heels. It’s like they’ve decided lying in bed is the best and all I get in the morning is stiff resentment that they’re expected to work. Except when climbing out of a tent. For some reason, the heels never bothered me in Nepal. Guess I could try setting up a tent in the bedroom. Or just sleep on the floor.
That’s not a bad idea. I’ve even contemplated sleeping standing up strapped in a gurney.
That could work.
It’s almost a positive thing because it makes each day new and exciting. Almost…right? Right?
Er…..um……ah…..yeah….um…..right.
Hey, this is turning into a great advice column, good deal, I’m getting all sorts of new ideas for help beyond my best friend….the heating pad!! Wow you really hit a chord with this one!
XXXX
Eat your heart out Dear Abby! Tune in next time when I give advice on how to deal with forgetfulness. Oh, and remember to tune in next time when I give advice on how to deal with forgetfulness.
Hilarious! And so true. And I love the title too.
One has to laugh about it, doesn’t one? Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment.
Arthur-itis plays tunes on my bones
Accompanied by my awful groans
Is it any wonder I live alone
Your comment in glorious rhyme
Is nothing short of sublime
When I see you real soon
You can play me a tune
As your creaking bones keep the time.
Love the poem, written with your normal understated flair. As a man with a wonky knee which the doctor ascribed to our mutually unwelcome guest, Mr Arthritis, he suggested some “over the counter pills. They come in packs of 100. I had to take about 70 of them before I felt any benefit but currently, at least, I am free of the discomfit and back to my dancing best, or back to dancing anyway. Don’t know if they are available in the States of course, but I’ll message you if you are interested 🙂
I have a myriad of elixirs myself, some of which help and some of which only make the pharmacy richer. However, I will definitely find out about yours when at last we meet, good friend. In the meantime, may our rickety knees support our efforts to trip the light fantastic, for the world is the better for it.
Another good poem, Al!
My friend had arthritis in her fingers. It was bad enough that she couldn’t get the top off the bottle of arthritis pain reliever…
I believe that falls under the “pouring salt on the wound” category. That’s just sad.
Salonpas pain patches! 40 to a box. Sometimes I go to bed with one on my boney shoulder, another on one of my knees, and another possibly on hip or low back. As you said, the locations change. Great poem.
Yes. It’s hard to plan your day until you get up and find out which joints need that TLC.
Lol! Great poem. It shows wonderful spirit. Have a great Easter.
Thanks, Marie. Got to look on the humorous side of things at this point!
Love it Al! So many of us in the same boat, here’s hoping we’ll keep afloat.
Gives new meaning to the song title “Lean on Me” doesn’t it?
So true.
Me too.
Should we start a pool? We can bet on which joint aches first.
I took the liberty of posting this blog on FB, and now you have more fans!
Thanks. At least I’ll have them until they get to know me.