Stake in the ground

It was late.
Very late.
My day had begun
with victory assured,
and ended with inconsolable desolation.
I had run my race
and now, as cloud lit by day
gave way to cloud hidden by night,
I await my fate.
Yet hide I will not.
Rather I will place my stake
in this wet, foul earth,
and I will fight
and force my destiny
to
speak
up.