Curled up in a shell

Tired, stretched out, worn down

Knees tucked underneath me

Half-dead tortoise

Hard-earned sweat stains the mat

Eyes droop closed

Arms behind, forearms flat to the ground

Half-dead tortoise

Stretch the muscles

Make them strong

Build the sinewy strength

Half-dead tortoise

The pose of acceptance

The pose of resignation

The pose of defeat

Half-dead tortoise