chop wood, carry water
back pressed to the wall, slick with sweat, tired muscles ache, bruised biceps, marked skin tell the tale.
the buzzer blares, a gaze from across, up next?
a soft smile breaks, and for a few minutes, there’s a sacred trust, an unsung bond.
intense grappling, submission hunting, like an intricate chess game in real time, moves and counter-moves, a fiery dance, flooded with endorphins, seeking to conquer, but releasing at the break —a gentlemen's agreement.
some days triumph, some days suck, but there is satisfaction in the struggle, honor in simply showing up.
show up.
-Ian Chan