stand up straight.
 shoulders back and breathe in deeply.
 let the air fill your lungs;
 stretch your ribs to almost beyond capacity.
 let the blood be replenished.
 feel it race around inside of you,
 invigorating your fingers,
 stimulating your liver. 

stand up straight.
 shoulders back and breathe in deeply.
 let the breath take away the thoughts,
 feel them slip from your mind.
 the dark ones and ugly ones
 that chase around the brain pan,
 leave you tired and slumped over,
 ready to give in. 

stand up straight.
 shoulders back and breathe in deeply.
 inhale and exhale,
 over and over again.
 square yourself against the world,
 brace for what’s coming.
 good or bad, it all leaves a mark. 

stand up straight.
 shoulders back and breath in deeply.
 everyone says, “just do it”,
 who are you to gainsay the masses?
 nothing ventured, nothing gained, 
 and nothing’s permanent.
 return to breathless, hunched up, and small tomorrow;
 stand up straight today.