the clock winds down

in slow motion replays
i retrace steps i’ve lost
embolden glory faded
blinking back dreams at daybreak

i hung my cleats up satisfied
for i played the game
as it was intended
and won

hard work, integrity, respect
proof rendered when
the hat now on my chest was in the ring

but damn

instead of barely winning fair and square
i could have blown these chumps out if i cheated
died a record holder

nobody cares how much
the steroids shrunk your testicles
after your flesh has rotted away

death is the only asterisk that matters

i see that now