THE DAY I DECIDED

the day i decided
to become a writing,
writing, writing warrior
is the day i decided
to sacrifice that extra
hour of sleep
two or three times
a week to finish
that last stanza

the day i decided
to become a writing,
writing, writing warrior
is the day i decided
to finish required reading
to finish planned writing
two or three times a week
before I sat down to eat

the day i decided
to become a writing,
writing, writing warrior
is the day i decided
to dedicate myself
to study and writing
without stealing time
from my wife, children
or that boss on my day job

the day i decided
to become a writing
writing, writing warrior
is the day i decided
how to pursue
my daily discipline
not of physical training
but conditioning of
my thinking and
of my mind

the day i decided
to become a writing,
writing, writing warrior
is the day i decided
to enter my bootcamp
the day i stripped myself
of pleasures for a season
the day i dressed in rags
the day i wept
the day i fasted

the night i let sleep
pass me by
the morning i rose
from many nights
at my desk
laid my pen down
raised my blinds
and smiled
as i realized

we are warriors