The Choice

Life doesn’t happen in montages.

Between lifting weights,

and practising punches

the main character goes home.

He talks to his friends.

He eats food with his family.

He sits and thinks.

He wonders and doubts.

He puts ice on his wounds

and bandages his cuts.

Sometimes he’s aching

and wants to give in.

Sometimes he grits his teeth

as others ask if it’s worth it,

if this is what he should be doing.

Most times he ignores them

but sometimes it sinks in,

and he begins to doubt.

Sometimes his spirit fades

and he’s so tired

he wants to give up.

He wonders if he’s too far gone.

If he’s capable of change.

If what he’s doing still matters.

The movies never show

the hero waking up in the dark,

stretching out his limbs,

feeling every ache,

hearing every doubt,

and wanting to go back to sleep.

They don’t show him

as he takes a deep breath

and makes the choice

to get out of bed.