Fold

I jumped into the fray head first
With only sketchy knowledge about why the fight
Had started in the first place.

I stood my ground
And landed my fair share of punches,
But I can’t really feel my fingers any more.
I take that to be a bad sign.

But do not pity my failure,
For I do not view it as such.
Never forget that trying is nine-tenths
Of believing.

And some midnights,
Belief is all I have.

There will be others fights
And other losses,
But I am unafraid.

Statistically speaking,
I have to win sometime.

So here is my defeat -
I concede it at last.
But remember,
There is a staggering difference
Between giving up and moving on.