Core

My core was compromised –

a stomach hernia required repair.

Every movement exercises the core

and the operation made moving hurt.

All movement was painful

but prone was the most challenging.

Three to five days of recuperation

became three to five weeks of restriction.

Indeed, it was unpleasant

and the healing task daunting.

The elastic binder at first a blessing

became a bother and the constraint foregone.

So too, the opioid was of little use

impacting breathing and making me uncomfortable.

My body altered, my being shook,

my gut shuddered; my chakra uttered…

My core is on the mend –

my abdomen is reinforced,

a lump replaced with evenness

to recover flexibility.

My core is restored –

to process needs and wants,

to sustain with patient support,

to practice affirmation.