Working the Steps

They call it work.
Not play, not diversion,
not an extra if there's time.
They call it work.
Not vacation,
not a sideline,
not a hobby.
We work the steps
in a regular, methodical,
whether-we-want-to-or-not
but especially when it's "not."

We don't pause a month
or five between one
and the next.
We honor the words
now, immediately,
at once, unreservedly,
ruthlessly, fully, utmost,
essential requirements,
had to be, must, all, must
absolute necessity,

imperative, could not survive,

next, vigorous course of action,
at once, strenuous effort,
great necessity, an hour...then,

that afternoon, three or four hours,
it works - It really does.