In the Gym

I hear the clink of metal,  

heavy breaths like sighs,  

the thud of weights falling—  

today is my leg day,  

and I’ve forgotten my sneakers,  

so here I am,  

feet encased in soft Uggs.

But in this space,  

no one cares to look beyond themselves,  

lost in their own sweat and muscles.

My gym days are never perfect,  

crowded chaos,  

airpods on 0%,  

the realization that I did my whole workout in the wrong position.

Yet I tell myself:  

every day is a lesson,  

the leg press that used to be new

becomes a story that I know by heart,  

the hip thrust that used to hurt my back

doesn’t ache any more.

Once, I trembled at the sight of the bench,  

amongst people  

whose weights crush the air,  

mine merely a feather,  

but who cares?  

I am here for me,  

growing,  

each drop of sweat,

each plate I add to my barbell,

a testament  

to the journey I embrace.