A Morning Vision- a spectacle

Throwing off the covers, I rose from bed
Climbing blindly, following where my nose led

The coffee was brewing in the automatic percolator
Grabbing a cup, sleepily made my way to the elevator

Reached top floor and stepped into the serene roof terrace
Sniffing fresh air before revving body for the daily rat race

Sitting in the cane armchair throwing off my mules
I suddenly saw a vision that made my mouth drool

On the terrace across, was a Greek god engaged in exercise
My teen spirit leapt, hopping to view this gift of golden sunrise

My cervical spondylitic neck got a big boost as it craned
My feet stood on tippy toes stretching fully as sleep waned

The perfect abs, the flat stomach, the biceps and that face
All made me wish fervently for a super vision with x-rays

My lumbar region too stretched and strained looking hard
My coffee lay cooling, as my poor body did a quick jumpstart

My daily ritual of sitting on a sofa and watching yoga tapes
Doing my bit only as couch potato now made me ashamed

I realized that no matter how old one is chronologically
To keep the spirit young one must exercise the body, daily

Of course the incentive across was all too enticing
So I donned my yoga wear and came out of hiding

A few quick deep breaths, a quick sucking in of the belly
Straightening  the shoulders and stretching upwards fully

A full ten pushups, one spot mile walk, made me a dynamo
Now, in for a penny in for a pound, I guffawed with gusto

Attracting his attention was my intent, I eagerly looked across to see
Alas my Greek God had left,  I only beheld a tomcat and a buzzing bee
We are under exercised as a nation. We look instead of play.
We ride instead of walk. Our existence deprives us of the
minimum of physical activity essential for healthy living.
John F. Kennedy
1917-1963, Thirty-fifth President of the USA
 I sometimes wonder if the hand is not more sensitive to the beauties
of sculpture than the eye. I should think the wonderful rhythmical
flow of lines and curves could be more subtly felt than seen.
Be this as it may, I know that I can feel the heart-throbs of
the ancient Greeks in their marble gods and goddesses.
Helen Keller
1880-1968, American Blind/Deaf Author, Lecturer, Amorist
 Don’t worry about your physical shortcomings. I am no Greek god.
Don’t get too much sleep and don ‘t tell anybody your troubles.
Appearances count: Get a sun lamp to keep you looking as though
you have just come back from somewhere expensive: maintain an
elegant address even if you have to live in the attic.
Never nickle when short of cash. Borrow big, but always repay promptly.
Aristotle Onassis
1906-1975, Turkish Born Shipping Magnate