"Ode to a Wrestler"
Calling my name, report to mat four.
Sprinting through halls to settle a score
Run to my coach who's already there.
Forgot my headgear so he throws me a spare
Walk to the table and tell them my name.
Look to my side while he does the same
Go to the circle and snatch up my colors.
Head to my corner and there is my brother
Puts on my anklets, then slaps my face.
Dad grabs the strap and snaps it in place
You know what to do, now go take control.
Then cracks my back so I'm ready to go
Take a deep breath and step on my line.
No help out here, this match is all mine
Ref says shake hands and lets keep it clean.
I reach out my hand and truly look mean
Ref blows the whistle, they scream in the stands.
We cannot hear them, it's man against man
A flurry of fury, a fight to the end.
One final whistle, then we shake again
This moment is earned, this moment in time.
One arm is raised, and that arm is mine
A lifetime of training for six minutes of war.
The whole cosmic battle, reduced to its core
Some warriors win and some warriors lose.
But we chose to wrestle, us glorious few.
Author Unknown