Trained to Get Up— A Poem on Perseverance

A heaven of lights and cameras Above my head at every angle Surrounded by an angry crowd Who paid good money to see me down

Twelve years old when I started classes Picked up some gloves, tied some laces I was beaten then, Like I’m beaten now Trained to get up, never back down

Seeing my name climb the ladder Rising up, that’s all that mattered I was there, living my dream Staying hungry, pork and beans

I hear the ref counting “two, three, four, five” Sixteen years I been at it Seconds to consider. Seconds to decide Will I gonna keep going? Will I resign?

Maybe a loser, and tomorrow forgotten But I’m no quitter, this pride ain’t fallen So I get up for another round Standing tall to redeem my crown