Berthold Lippel

LAURA IN THE GYM

Laura in the gym

A flower blooming amid the sweating tribe

Of body builders

Did she get lost?

What magnet pulled her to this iron heap

This battleground of gravity

Where grunting men, like Sisyphus,

Push useless burdens to the sky.

Laura in the gym

Belly flat like a shield

Twining herself around each machine

Like a purposeful snake.

Hissing in rhythm

Up

Down

One two five ten

Her muscles quiver but obey.

The brutal machines are filled with love,

Compete for her embrace.

Their handles reach out with enticing arms,

She hold them close

With pitiless pressure

Until they surrender

To sinew and will.

Laura in the gym

Amazon with arms of steel

Your bow shoots arrows

Fatal to my heart.