Arthritis

Quiet Battles

In the quiet places of each step,

a hidden pulse of pain resides,

where feet and knees remember days

they would walk an unlimited stride.

Now each step leans on patience,

painkillers dull but do not ease,

the ache that or the sleepless nights,

with sleep to come, a distant test.

Yet still, each day, I push ahead,

unbroken, though the rest is lost.

For strength is found in every step,

no matter what the cost