Physical Therapy

My body bows against a string of pain.
There's no release, no arrow set to fly
to any target. "Give it one more try--
let's stretch this out-- let's see if we can gain
just one degree-- if I can take the strain--"
"Relax." I can't. The flexion's more than I
can take-- it hurts, but I'm too big to cry.
My courage flees, but stubbornness remains.

My doctor says the surgery went well.
I should get range of motion back, complete
if I work hard at rehab. But there's still
a lot of work to do-- a little hell
each day. No shortcuts; I can't cheat
just work, and pray, and be it as God wills.