In the cool and pleasant stillness, we had our morning roam Once around the lac before the heat Our neighbour's dog beside us, we were very nearly home Breakfast soon, and for the dog a treat I heard the klaxon sounding, and I spied the yellow van Stopped beside my house some way ahead She's not a patient woman, so I in her direction ran No cautious thought entered in my head Alonso hit full gallop, his paws barely touching ground Foolishly, I tried to match his pace Within every adult man, a young boy can still be found I lengthened stride — this was now a race She must have a package for us, or so it was I thought Some box of something we'd acquired I don't recall an order, wondered what it is we bought That now my signature required Postie woman looked up, to see us bearing down apace Showing first confusion and surprise Then a look of wry amusement, encroached upon her face Seeing man and dog, bolting down the rise Now out of breath and panting, we both crossed the finish line Our race run, I wrote my name to find That it was for a box of soap, she wanted me to sign Still grinning, I did not really mind For my thirty second dash, there's a mighty price to pay: PEM, or "Post-Exertional Malaise" Long Covid gives us many gifts, some will not go away So I could be feeling this for days Feeling rather weak and dizzy, pain started in my chest Muscles tightening, it was hard to breathe The first time that it happened felt like cardiac arrest I'm likely fine, or so I now believe It will only be much later, that the damage cost I know Some hours, or perhaps a day or two For the body's full reaction can take a while to show No clue how much is too much to do Before Covid caught me maskless, I ran almost every day Used to time my runs and keep a log I no longer run, I slowly walk, the price too high to pay Except today's short gallop with a dog
2025-08-18