Book of Poetry, Songs, and Inspirational Quotes

The Patient Fighter

This is a poem I wrote for Electra during the Season 6 rewrite. I made it for her as a coping mechanism for losing. I haven't released a full version of the poem... until now.
Each set of five quatrains reflects a particular emotion Electra experienced.

Phase 1: regret
I feel the anger start to rise
All my emotions like the shifting tides
One moment I'm fine, the next I'm not
Why is my temper boiling hot?

I was raised to hate to lose
And that was the mindset I had to choose
But looking back now, I feel regret
For letting my vengefulness go unchecked

Why did I hate it when I lost?
I guess I never counted the cost
Because in my heart, I vowed one day
That when I lose, I'll make them pay

Why didn't I think before I act?
I should've waited for the right time to attack
I give good advice when I teach
But I don't practice what I preach

Instead of acting hastily
I should have thought more carefully
Letting revenge be a lighter
Is not what makes a patient fighter

Phase 2: reflection
Here in this moment, I have a confession
I admit I still have some aggression
But now, after thinking it through
I know just what I have to do

I took it upon me to write this poem
And after I'm done, maybe I'll show them
The things I have learned after every loss
And I can show revenge who's boss

Losing hurts, I will admit
And at first I was sick of it
I put patience on the bench
And executed my revenge

But now I finally realize
That it is better to strategize
Than for me to act the fool
And potentially lose my cool

Let the losses mold and shape me
For victory comes in the waiting
Let not revenge become my lighter
As I become a patient fighter

Phase 3: strategy
That's exactly what I'll do
I'll take the time to think things through
That way I can retrace my steps
And make it a priority to plan ahead

I won't let anger get in my way
From developing a good strategy
If that means delayed action
Then that will bring me satisfaction

I'll take my time and slow it down
To plan ahead for the next time around
No longer will I demand payback
Instead, I'll plan the next attack

I'm still a little angry, I must admit
But I'm starting to control it
If being patient is my goal
I have to practice self control

So when I face severe defeat
To vengeance I will not retreat
Let patience be the sole desire
I will be a patient fighter

Phase 4: determination
Now the time has finally come
The final battle has begun
I'm going to give everything I can
As I execute my plan

If I fall down and suffer loss
I'll get back up and dust myself off
And even though I might feel rage
I'll let patience take center stage

Every loss has molded me
And now the truth has made me free
The best form of payback
Is waiting for the right moment to attack

I knew deep down he needed to pay
But the voice in my head said "Not right away"
So I chose to follow that route
And now this is my battle shout

To love to win is a great thing
So now with new-found strength I sing
No longer is revenge my lighters
I've grown to be a patient fighter

Phase 5: resolve/new mindset
Goodbye anger, so long revenge
Hello to strength and confidence
Farewell to inner pain and rage
Now patience is on center stage

No longer do I hate to lose
Because all my anger is diffused
I will leave the past behind me
No longer do I let it define me

I count every loss as a lesson
And every victory is a blessing
When I lose, I will accept it
And any thoughts of revenge will be rejected

I may think about getting back
But I know to wait for the right moment to attack
I learned to cherish the victories as I go
But do I hate losing? Heck no!

I love to win, not hate to lose
This is the mindset that I choose
I won't let vengeance be my lighter
Because now I am a patient fighter