Poem: Arena Of Life And Death

I stand in the arena
Dust covering my face
Sweat sliding down my back.
The blows keep on coming:
The fists punch
The legs kick
The swords slash
The spears jab.
Causes for despair
For rage and fear
For grief and pain
Constantly bombard me.
I dance around
Twisting my body
This way and that.
My sword weaving
A desperate defence.
All I have
Is faith and hope and love.
Yet somehow
These three are enough.
Though I am beaten
Pummeled and bruised;
Though blood seeps
From open wounds
And weariness
At injustice
Weighs me down;
I always rise again.
I always keep going.
With the Spirit
Empowering me
Who or what
Can keep me down?