Put in the Reps, You’ll Get to Meaning

It’s not immediately threatening,
The short first string of signs and suggestions—
Observations little like instructions—

The equipment in the exercise room
Is colorful and neatly put away.
You can see that, can’t you? See the sunlight
On the scuffed floor and and the workout machines?

Now, what is it trying to say to you,
What is it trying to get you to see?
This is where it starts to get scarier.
You’re being bullied to find the meaning.

That’s trickery. This point didn’t arrive
With its sunny loneliness and meaning.
Check your pockets. You did it! That’s meaning.