I stepped out in front of the hammer
Bracing myself for the blow
Determined to stand strong
I still do this all day long
I hold steady as days turn into years
Salty cynicism is all that remains of my tears
Though my current life depends on my unbreakability
I know that if I yielded, I would finally start really living
I see the wild, vibrant, beautiful life force of my vulnerability
Roaring rivers of pure glacial truth flow below the surface of my frozen facade
I stare at the hammer and dare it to hit me one more time