Defeat

I have not yet accepted defeat
I have not
I have not yet accepted defeat
there is fight
there is fight
in the old dog left
let the young pups
who smirk
learn to cower instead
I have not yet accepted defeat

There is rage
there is rage
in the old dog yet
there are eyes full of fire
long ago
while I licked at my wounds
I was weak
while I pined at the moon
now I stand
now I roar
at the night
at the hour
I have not yet accepted defeat

When it comes
as it will
when the moment of truth
the decease of all posture and lie
and I, naked
exposed
at the end of my power
it will come to me fighting
it will come to my cry
I have not yet accepted defeat

Edward Rhodes (2014)