Opening Bell

[Tone: Dark, minimal, heartbeat beat

Theme: The fight starts whether you’re ready or not]

Yeah…

No crowd tonight

Just me and my thoughts

Bell rings either way

Bell rings, didn’t train for this moment

Hands shaking, mind racing, fear calling me “hopeless”

Twenty-four rounds, I’m already exhausted

Barely made it to the ring, but I showed up—focus

Lights on, mirror says “who you pretending?”

Smile stitched tight but the pressure is bending

Everybody needs a leader, so I carry the weight

While I’m bleeding inside, still expected to be great

Bathroom fan humming, drown out my head

Heart beating loud, every thought like a threat

They say “man up,” I say “I am trying”

Just tired of fighting a war that won’t end

Gloves on, no exit

Fear says “you won’t last”

I nod like I heard him

Then step to the mat

Bell rings, guess we’re doing this now

No escape when the doubts get loud

I don’t feel brave, I don’t feel strong

But I’m still standing when the count goes on

Bell rings—yeah, I feel the pain

But I’d rather fight than fade away

If this is hell, then let it begin

I’m still breathing—ring the bell again

They don’t see the nights I’m pacing the floor

Or the prayers I whisper just to ask for more

More peace, less noise, less shame in my chest

Less feeling like I’m failing every test

Got a job title but my soul feels small

If I disappear, they replace me tomorrow

World keeps spinning, sales still made

That thought alone got me questioning faith

Is anybody watching when the lights go dim?

Or am I just another round fear wins?

Bell rang.

I’m still here.