The days were always long

but the nights ever longer

Again he lay awake restless

thinking of the long days ahead

the weight of the world lays across his back

As though he too were Atlas

forever doomed to an arduous fate

He can feel his heart crushing

weeping for a chance to breathe

”Please oh please let us rest

We had enough for today”

Their calls go unanswered

He ignores their tempting pleads

instead he waits for the first yellow ray

Again he rises for more

Exhausted

another night creeps in

His bones ache and groan

the bed is stiff beneath him as though it were made of stone

He hears his body cry to him

wishing to rest a little more

”Please oh please 
Haven’t we done enough?”

Though tempting

as the world pushed itself further into his chest

tears burning his cheeks 

as though Pompeii was burning down

he looked deep within him

where his soul stands still

unmoved and unwavering

It looks at him sheepishly 

“This is not who we are

Come now

You can cry another day”

He takes a deep breath

The words kissing his face dry

As the sun peaks around the corner

tomorrow has already arrived

with his limbs reduced to lead

Again, he rises for more

Again, he rises more

though he lay broken

Again, he rises more

beaten, bruised, and tired

Again he rises more

for he knows that he is of human soul

one that remains unbroken

true and loyal

its not in his nature to give up

he’s seen it lay before him

Kingdoms, countries, and wars

The mind

The body

Nothing but temptresses to the human soul

So just like Atlas

He forever holds the world

Unwavering, remaining, and rises always for more.