the man in the mirror
stronger than yesterday
lifting your chin

fitting into sizes
fitting into molds
when do I get to be myself?

downward facing dog
the girl and her puppy
who imitates who

through each pose
eye contact
"I love myself"

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

sunrise salutations
the body
greets the mind

morning meditation
her mind and body
become one

morning breaths
child's pose
setting my intentions

early morning light
child’s pose
the bleat of a goat

TOP half champion

CHAMPION
 

BOTTOM half champion

wake up
go sweat          go to class
when will it end

school, job, yoga class
am I really
that flexible

in the gym
I wonder
would you still love me

I made a promise to
my body. I said
I will love you.

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

ballet—
she stops turning
her stomach doesn’t

epsom salt bath
the water dissolves
the pain

twelve reps
weight lifted
off my shoulders

heavier than
the weights I am lifting—
my eyes

fire in their lungs
the runner
a little dragon

feet striking
in imperfect union
brothers

old forest trail
I break in
my new running shoes

lost on the trail
did we pass this bridge before?
legs like Jello

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

running
from my problems
dead end.

run forest run
if only that
made it easier

sweat drips
across the
finish line

bead of sweat
down her forehead
run, run, run

TOP half champion

CHAMPION

BOTTOM half champion

father carries his son
the heaviest weights are never
the ones in the gym

my daughter’s silly giggle
I snuff out
the cigarette

slick pavement
bicycle wheels have a mind
of their own

biking on the levee
pushing the limits
leaving a liquid trail

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

duality of man:
a day filled with exercise
a ten pm Polar Pop

a hand placed
deep in the snack bowl
should I?

first day of the diet
a pint of strawberry ice cream
my midnight battle

chocolate ice cream
goodbye,
old friend