This morning the inner critic
is playing all the hits;
how I should have jumped 
out of bed at dawn
to do star jumps, 
sumo squats,
push ups

followed by
a cold shower
and ten minutes
of deep breathing,
then an immunity boosting
breakfast of
boiled water with lemon,
rolled oats blended with
flaxseed, broccoli
and coconut water.

Twenty minutes
of morning pages,
sun salutations
and gratitude practice,
where I repeat
mantras of
love and kindness
for all living things,

even the neighbour
returning from his
morning jog,
doing lunges
outside my kitchen 
window,

forever a step ahead
on the eightfold path
to better health

or is it the ten pillars
to a happier self?

I can't remember which
as pour my
black coffee
and lift the remains
of a vanilla creme 
almond glazed
donut 
to my lips,

which I halved 
with wisdom and restraint
yesterday morning.