Osteopenia

Up the stair case five floors high,
Holding back the urge to cry
Out. From far below.
Bellowing as knees crack
Like aluminum foil.

          Up the stair case four floors high,
          Pops from ankles shout.
          X-ray bones click-clack
          And lack
          The steadiness of health.

                              Up the stair case three floors high,
                              Sockets chafe like flint and stone.
                              Only burns and sliced up
                              Scars fester forth
                              And never cease.

                                                  Up the stair case two floors high,
                                                  Cringing from the noise
                                                  Within.
                                                  Tendons criss-cross from head to toe
                                                  With songs of sirens.

                                                                      Up the stair case one more time,
                                                                      I think I’ll make it there.
                                                                      But bruises decorate
                                                                      The air.
                                                                      And bruises decorate the stairs.

                                                                                                 But I will make it there.