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my breath escapes in ragged bursts
the skin ripples and shines
and I; i battle steel
clink clink clink as i pump my burden up
and down
up and
down
i defeat it; i beat it down
it pleads for mercy; i show
no quarter
foreseeing its demise: devious lowblows attempted
devious lowblows parried, and i strike back; hard
a finishing blow
the end of a battle, but the signal of a war
i let the barbell fall to the rug,
remove my armor.
i stroll outside, letting a ciggarette calm me
my battle fervor ebbs
i grin