No Gloves

Like an arachnid Standing on the soles of our feet, Yet, walking upside down Crawling in quicksand Searching for solid ground But it's like picking up a gun and letting off solid rounds How do we find common ground When we keep finding the same common nouns: Pain, Anger. Frustration, Debate Too reluctant to try to relate We stay tucked in to hide Stuck on this ride Remaining sheltered in the crux of our pride Engaged in dispute so that makes me the bride And I get in the ring Waiting for the bell to go "ding" So I start walking with golden strides Looking at you with shimmering eyes… How many times are we going to drown Before we listen to the sounds? When the referee says the fight might be stopped in one more round I take off my gloves so that my hands are unbound Clothes are wet from the sweat of defeat. Weariness drips from my back in this heat And as I wait for you to take your best shot, You strip from your gear And spit from your mouth the plastic guard that protects your words And instead of hearing howls, I hear the sweet sound of birds And as I inhale I hold in the tears as our chests reunite… Love is stronger than Pride…. I realized that after we boxed last night.