POEM
A definition, friends, of stress: Your own reaction to a mess Stresses may be large or small Sometimes they're not perceived at all Examples: Say a lack of cash; A just-avoided freeway crash; An allergen that's in the air; The barber says you're losing hair; Fifty on a spavined horse; Attorney's letter re divorce; Wetness, dryness, heat or cold; Callow youth or getting old Stress from pains to pleasures range The common element is change Adapt or die, and that's a fact And so our bodies must react: The heart speeds up, the gut slows down Facial muscles snarl or frown Bronchial tubes expand and then The blood absorbs more oxygen Widened pupils search the void Adrenal glands secrete steroid Serum glucose starts to climb More insulin works overtime Stressed physically or mentally Muscles tense to fight or flee The midbrain boils with rage and fear While cortex plans to save your rear The point is, stress is not unique It doesn't mean you're dumb or weak A part