It took some PLUCK for Polly Adams to practice her SQUAT. She was not really a squatting kind of person – more likely to say the word than to do it (as in “that don’t mean diddly-squat”). But she was bound and determined to USHER in a new way of life, and if that meant lowering her bottom to be nearer the floor, then so be it. No point in being FUSSY about the whole thing. Her granddaughter was worried that she was following a BOGUS regimen, peddled by a dubious YouTube channel. But Polly assured her that this was “no thigh master and certainly more effective than my mother’s vibrating belt” which only confused the granddaughter who had never heard of Suzanne Somers and who had certainly never seen a magazine ad for the “pleasant and passive way to lose weight.” Polly really wanted to see what it would feel like to have thighs that were powerful or, at least, might be MINUS a few jiggly bits. It made her feel hopeful, and at her age, that was worth it, right?

Georg’ann

Each PHASE a brand new rollercoaster.
Impossible to become STUCK.
First the terrifying anticipation,
that clicking climb up and up and up
as you wonder what compelled you
to buy the ticket.

But wait, you didn’t choose this ride.
And somehow that makes it easier
to yield. USING all your breath
full screams and laughter
erupt simultaneously, as you plunge
into the descent at breakneck pace.

Going forward, then stop. What next?
Long pause, suddenly sucked backward.
One more time, all of it over again
MINUS the initial ascent.
Propulsion to the end, ride after ride.
Same pattern, varying degrees.

Heather