Facets

Not a facet, a cut gemstone but a fah set small joint in the spine connecting vertebrae My lumbar facets are inflamed charcoal blinking orange at the bottom of a Weber grill Insurance companies require two nerve block tests before moving to ablation burning the nerves causing pain— that daily companion who laughs at my now-perfect knee seeing its ruthless reflection in the shiny new titanium mirror Both tests finished the correct nerves silenced for the temporary testing time— several hours to a couple days I have plans to get moving My garden needs my strongest touch as I prune and pile green waste risk the vicious bite of blue agave prepare for a winter of rain I have dogs to walk Redwood forests to hike Uneven cobblestone in Mexico the entirety of January So I bare my bum again under fluorescent lights a concoction of drugs in my IV and I feel no pain once more this time for many months I hope Under my brilliant doctor’s care he who has many facets— like a gemstone I will again have an active lifestyle I was always good at passing tests