day's end 

work's finished 

for another day, 

for another evening 

of respite from 

survival's demands. 

I kick shoes off 

burning feet 

laden with body weight. 

calf muscles ache

for the sake of walking, 

for the steps in passing; 

burn for reasons forgotten 

as footprints refuse to 

follow feet forging ahead. 

how refreshing the sofa. 

how calming the silence. 

how disquieting 

the ache of life 

moving along 

at the speed 

of breathing, 

in the blink 

of an 

eye. 

Poem © 2006 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo  © 2009 by R. Burnett Baker 

Photo:  "Self Portrait"  taken by R. Baker