I break my devil
with heavy metal
and hard plates.

Take my pain
and step up,
down
then up
again
in reps.

Tight T
as wet
as me
soaking in
stinking sweat
as I struggle
to catch my breath.

This is
self-punishment
for my lack of
food discipline,
for my lack of strength
in pursuing
all the things
that make me
a better human being.

All the doubts,
all the rejections,
all the frustration,
I work them out
with a workout.

Which might mean
the only thing
I accomplish is
a better physique,
while never addressing
the underlying
issues,

but I feel sharper
after
the workout.

I feel calmer to.

So, I will push,
pull, press, step,
squat, bend,
row, jump,
run, lift
till others
sigh and try
to quit.

I will continue
with all of it,
and maybe get
to the other ****
later in the day.