Force of Iron
Strap on the black leather gloves.
Bend and grip the knurled steel bars,
Taking one dumbbell in each hand.
Rise and look at yourself in the mirror.
Raise the weights to your shoulders,
Lift and hold each arm successively,
Counting all the while until you reach
The magic number of your reps.
Go through the series of your exercises.
Feel the pump of adrenaline, the burn
Of lactic acid building up in muscles.
Clench your teeth and strain against gravity,
Forcing the iron to rise at your command.
And you are finished.
Set the weights back on the floor.
Take off the gloves and bask in pain
Knowing the fibers of your muscles
Have been shredded,
Stimulating them to grow back stronger.
You are transferring the strength of iron
To the meat that hangs on your bones.
