High School Days

I went to get a massage this evening because my neck and back hurt. I mean hurt-ache-twinge-pain-ouch-hurt. It's the second time they've told me I have a "trigger point" along my spine that seizes up when stressed/sit-too-long/insert-relative-menial-labor-task-here. The only thing I ever remember like that was being trigger-happy enough to knock opposing players off the field with my hip while playing for the ball...

I am starting to reminisce --

those days when defense was my stance:

on the court, on the field, off the field.

I can taste the metallic sweat

of not-giving-in, still.

My body is the same me it was, but

I know the muscles have shape-shifted.

The memory retained but they'd mock

my daily performances;

the repetitive plays of "phone, email, desk";

the nylon, polyester, mascara of my new uniform.