only
forget to tuck chin
from uppercut’s eye
forget to keep arms buttoned
to ribs, knuckle flush
with cheekbone
let elbows wing out
exposing torso every throw,
slow the recoil of fist
lock breath in chest,
feet to canvas
only if you know
the precise length of your arm,
that hers is one inch shy
4 comments:
I like this series quite a lot. You're getting me interested in boxing, even though I've never been attracted to it before.
My only quibble with this one is the first two lines, or rather the second line- why use the word "eye" here?
kerry - well played.
and, i've always been interested in boxing - well since at least the Calgary Olympics. I think it was Calgary, with Sean O'Sullivan? maybe that was earlier even...
I wanted to be a female boxer tho' there didn't seem to be any. i had all brothers and boy cousins, and they all worked out etc. so i would sneak a turn at the speed bag and wish i could do that many chin ups...but i kicked a$$ at the jump rope. bet i'd have been a great kickboxer too...
in case you're wondering, YES, i will buy multiple copies of this book. :) And, I've got bags and gloves hanging in the basement for me AND kids to use...just for therapy. :)
Hey Kerry,
Some very nice language work (the second stanza in particular...pow!) as well as the beautiful bow tying up the poem in the last few lines.
I'm not sure why, but since many of these poems have looked the same, I want you to explore different forms - one line stanzas, one stanza poems.
yes, Ariel's comment is interesting... why not try two line stanzas (as in left punch, right punch) or something like that
I think the strength in this one is in your fist/chest/canvas and would like a bit more... these are 'punchy' (pun not quite intended!)
Post a Comment