pre-surgical checklist

they aren't the bees knees
but they are all mine
one backward "C" scar from mom's old station wagon
one banged up shinbone
shiny when shaven
remember bending and stretching and pedaling and praying
that i wouldn't catch a flu and have to barf standing up
sudden snap but not like a rubber band
a fiber unraveled
no food after midnight not even a tic tac
connect the dots that mark the spot
to run to jump to walk the dog to ride the bike to feel the joy
of one more run down ruthies