We dance around, trading steps,
canvas bounces under our feet.
Jab, one, two, three.
Guard up, head down,
the burn of the rope against my back.
Punches blur lost in a haze of noise.
The man in black screams at me,
asks if I can still fight.
I nod my head blood on my brow,
he comes in again we trade our blows,
Sweat… Confusion… Pain… Eyes wild,
we beg inside for the bell.
He lunges a punch goes wide,
I end it with a hook to the jaw
down and counted out.
Arm raised I am a God tonight

Nick Davis