I can bench.
I can press.
I can curl and lift and squat.
I can run until my lungs burn and my thighs turn to fire at the knee.
I can pull in water till the air escapes from me.
I can hold the ocean back behind my lips and never utter

what I know.

what I feel.

what I want.

I can acquiesce to sand
and let those things fade away
like foam trails from fading tides.

 

but the weight of not holding you?
this, I do not bear well.

strong is as strong does.

some days my strength is shown in what I cannot do.

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