playing dead doesn’t come naturally
by nature I’m a stubborn fighter
known for a tenacious spirit
deaf to the ending bell.

 
giving up isn’t in my vocabulary
when I KNOW the relative merits of hanging on
and recognize the fallacy
of falsely acknowledging defeat.

 
I’ve always believed
that I could accomplish whatever I set out to
this habit of a lifetime
has served me well till now.

 
but when every indication firmly
tells me to stop trying
objective and subjective, customary and recognized
it’s time.