The aftermath

With my bloody knuckles
and my bloodier knee,
which threatens to buckle,
what will become of me?

I’ve struggled and I’ve fought
just like the stories tell
but all that I have caught
are just all kinds of hell.

Now I see the limit
at the end of my path
but I cannot submit
to their justified wrath.

I’ll struggle to the end
because that is my way.
I’ll roar and rip and rend
on this:  my final day.