How Did I Manage It?

[Kitiger, RN]

A Typical Morning, 2004

The alarm clock goes off and it jars me awake.

My back sharply complains, This is all a mistake!”

So I slap down the noise and roll over instead,

I'll work out the kinks, and then get out of bed.

The alarm clock goes off, and I slowly arise,

Make my way to the dresser, and put on my eyes.

Then, quick! To the hall! Down the stairs on the double!

If I cough or sneeze now, I'll leave a big puddle!

The med-cabinet is next, several pills and a puffer.

When allergens strike, I won't have to suffer.

Then I brush and I floss, and I pop in my tooth

`Cause that space – front and center – looks a little uncouth.

Now I preen for a bit, pluck a hair from my chin.

Tweezers, I've found, are a lady's best friend.

Tennis elbow is aching: I put on my brace.

Comb my hair and get dressed, now I'm ready to race.

He's out in the kitchen, my Honey, George-Wray.

I go in for a hug. I could stay here all day!

But the cats want attention. Pet me now! Feed me, please!

If I stoop down too low, snap and pop go my knees.

Then I make up my lunch. Oh! And eat breakfast, too.

The clock says 6:30; there's so much to do!

Grab my paraphernalia, my workbags and such,

Grab Mom's stuff, spill my coffee. I can be such a klutz.

So I clean up my mess, and my lunch I forget.

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.

Back to grab a dry washcloth; `don't want to forget it!

(When hot flashes start, I get diaphoretic.)

Then I go visit Mom, bathed & dressed, soon it's eight.

I have to leave now. I don't want to be late.

A relaxing, long drive to the job that I love.

I'll be fine – I can do this – with help from above.

That job was 45 minutes away, a 10-hour shift, 4 days a week.

I went to help Mom every morning.

When I look back, I wonder where I found the energy to do it all.

I was young.

:)

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

You are quite the poet! Thank you for sharing.

[Hollybobs]

That's really good! I especially like the line "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get"- it's very sweet, clever and made me smile.

Great poem! :)

[Kitiger, RN]

That's really good! I especially like the line "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get"- it's very sweet, clever and made me smile.

Great poem! :)

That's the only line in the poem that didn't originate with me. I saw it on a frame at Amish Acres.

And it's so true.