The Big Punch

     (When a boxer smiles after taking a big punch, you know it hurt him. - U.K. John)

And now I’m showing you my teeth,

lip-split and loopy, a storm cloud of color

gathering under my cheek.

The red glove surprised me,

coming out of nowhere, and I still don’t remember

hearing the bell that ended the last round.

But the countdown is somehow soothing,

and if it’s o.k. with you,

I’d really like to lie here just a minute,

grinning into the canvas -

remembering how beautiful we were.                                             printable