~I fell Again~

So, I fell again,
in the dirt, on the mat,
with wind knocked out of my lungs.
This feels like,
I may never get up again.
My head hurts,
there is blood on my clothes,
mouth swollen, can’t speak,
vision blurry… and
I feel hollow.
Meanwhile,
Everyone around me,
laughing, pointing, doubting and
betting against me.

So….
I close my eyes, grind my teeth,
suck in air full of filth and
foul smell.
Push pain, fear and shame,
out of my mind.
Focus,
on that one thing, one person,
who loves me the most,
believes in me and
sees me, the REAL me.

So, I rise again,
in the dirt, on the mat.
One more time I think,
One more punch I say.

~fin~