I would swoon
over professional boxers
who could crack a jaw
with a single punch
until I saw the ones
who would take a battering
and kept asking for more
until I saw the ones
who could dodge
whatever came near them
until I saw the ones
who knew when the ring
was getting a bit too much
and wrapped their hands
around their favourite hot drink
while they looked at their scars
with compassion.

© Carl Burkitt 2021