"Yes?" I spoke, surprising even myself
An accidental glance at the mirror confused me further
My stance which was slouchy was now tall
My voice which was mumbled could now flow
My thoughts, no longer muddy and now clear
In that moment, I realized
Though I couldn't draw the sword
I faced trials
Trials of the mind
Trials of excruciating pain
I no longer feared the words of men
so I don't need to slouch
To speak
To think
Like anyone else
Although I couldn't draw the sword….
I was free
I was the sword
And the summit-my whetstone