Reaching For The Ropes

One day you won't be able to move like this . . . I remind myself as I workout. 

The scene from Rocky 

when Adrian walks into the arena at the end of round 14 

and sees Rocky, barely alive, 

reaching for the ropes, 

pulling himself up to his feet, 

while his trainer tells him to stay down, 

makes me cry sometimes.

I wish it was her and I. 

In the movie,

Rocky stands up and waves Apollo Creed in, taunting him. 

And he almost wins;

but we aren’t at the movies,

and my lady is an empty seat,

not someone who would watch me reach

for the ropes in hope I will rise.

she’s someone who leaves

I pray to Aphrodite 

she doesn’t just want to watch me bleed.

CH 10/22/26