John Parish
"Boxers"


like boxers
find nobility in violence
& no ability to see sense
like boxers
blinkered & bare breasted pugilism
how we all try to keep the fighter within
like boxers
looked for safety in a clinch
& they were bruised but unflinching
like boxers
sweet anticipation of the landing of the first blow
& how much better is the devil you know
like boxers

from tattered lip a little blood spurt
you always love the ones you hurt
though they were hanging on the ropes
they weren't about to give up hope
like boxers
falling & counting
like boxers