For half a second
I feel nothing at all
Perhaps this is normal

I lay there and breathe

The next few seconds
I become aware of all
The pulled muscles

I sit up and begin

After a minute
I start to notice all
The stiffness in my joints

I take some pills

For the next few hours
I put up with all
The fire in my nerves

I stretch and crumble

By the end of the day
I brace for all
The torture of lying down

I clutch my pillow

After a few hours
I can let to of all
The tension in my muscles
The stiffness in my joints
The fire in my nerves

And if I can let go of the pain
Just from lying down
Then I sleep until 
I feel normal for half a second 
again