This time of year, many are making resolutions to eat healthier, drink more water, exercise more. These are all good goals and are beneficial for our health. I wrote a humorous poem about my conflicted feelings about exercise. Hope you like it.

I don’t want to exercise

If only I was a sloth

I could find a branch and rest there

Or cocoon like a moth

 

Why can’t I just hibernate

Like a bear in his cave?

I don’t want to face outside

Be courageous, firm and brave

 

I want to be like an oyster

Snug within my shell

Like deep dark murky water

I want to sit for a spell

 

I don’t want to leap for a jumping jack

Bend and touch my toes

No I don’t want to stretch my back

Why you do, heaven knows

 

Yes my limbs are a bit flabby

And my tummy pooches so

You’re right I’m somewhat crabby

But I want you to know…

 

That I don’t like getting sweaty

To grunt and pant and groan

Why can’t you just ‘get’ me

And leave well enough alone?

 

So don’t hand me a ball, mitt or bat

Don’t meet me at the track, or sit me on a mat

Rather, set me loose along a meadow, hillock or glen

Put me in the middle of nature, I’ll be happy then

 

I want to tramp in the forest

Breathe in the rich scent of pine

Feel the bark with my fingertips

You’ve got your bliss, I’ve got mine

 

I want to hunker down in tide pools

With water to my knees

Have a conversation with starfish

I’d like that, if you please

 

Glimpse lizards amidst the rocks

And ants up in a line

Hawks on the highest treetops

Uh huh, that’d be just fine

 

I want to hold my breath in wonder

When a hummingbird flies my way

I want to listen to the thunder

And sleep my nights away

 

I really don’t like to exercise

But I love to explore and see

I want beauty and the unexpected

Won’t you come along with me?