I’m in Phoenix AZ at 7:07 AM Mountain Standard Time

And the temperature is 91 and well into its eager climb

And my Fitbit is at zero steps and I need ten thousand more

But if I face the harsh broad daylight now my sweat will surely pour

And the shower I just took will take a turn to null and void

So my challenge is to get my steps in a way to be enjoyed

And I think of nearby Fry’s at which I buy foodstuffs and fluids

And the Goodwill on the way there with arcana fit for Druids

But the Goodwill doesn’t open till 9 and the Fry’s though open now

Will be an E-Z Bake GIFTEEN HUNDRED STEPS one way and bedrenchment nigh and how

But I could drive there and take a tour of endcaps shelves and aisles

But the net steps won’t be much and what I really need are miles

So what I’ll do is make ceramic ware at PIP Coffee and Clay

May take the bus may walk.may drive but I’ll get a good spin on the day

And later at Scottsdale Fashion Square I’ll mallwalk hither and yon

A ragamuffin imposter facing bougie brigades full on

But cool! and fresh! and lucky! for their Harkins boasts a movie

That will reward ten thousand steps with a Pitt stop O so groovy

And their covered parking will keep my doors and steering wheel cool

And my undisheveled revelry will fluff like unworn wool

****

Afterword: We desert dwellers, ambulatory or motorized, have a daily challenge to meet at this time of year, and I thought a walk through my own challenge today would be fun. I decided on a slightly clunky rhyme/meter scheme typical of those who do not have enough poetry-writing experience under their belts that yields smooth, glib (and sometimes cloying) verses, and tried to “sound” like a typical Phoenician on a typical summer’s day.

I mention Harkin’s Camelview Theatre, where I am a fairly frequent flier, and “Pitt stop” refers to the movie Foula One, starring Brad Pitt. It is hard for me to resist bad puns, especially with light verse.