it was a tough war this year, i'll admit

i took the punching at the teeth

watched to bony structures hit the floor

watched the ones i loved collapse

it was a hard watch 

it was a hard time

but i picked up my staff

and i rolled with the punches

learned their moves and overcame

i fumbled a bit at the end

but i defeated the biggest enemy

it was okay if one slipped in between my fingers

at the second round i was discouraged,

but i picked my sorry body off the ground

and returned to the ring

and the punches fell heavier this time 

but i beat the monsters i knew i could

and let the rain fall on me for the ones i could not

in the end i took a step back

which shocked them all, even myself

and instead of giving up, i said another time

i'm not ready yet

which was defeat in others eyes but really i wanted to not let 

the ugliest monster get away

so, with less along my plate

i get up

spit the blood pooling into my mouth

onto the sodden ground

grit my teeth and prepare for the worst

to finish off this battle with grace and finesse

the only way i know how