sparring

I smile as I reach, still grinning while I weave.
agility is ecstacy. getting back up is therapy.
backed up in a corner, crunched up in a ball,
yet I laugh through the pain, spit blood, push and claw.
now I'm back in the ring, fighting for each new breath
and I swing, and I miss, but I swing nonetheless.

there's a time for restraint, and a moment to strike.
I joyously wait, I patiently eye.
a sweep of the foot, a twist of the waist,
now we're dancing in total embrace.
a step back. separation. eyes lock and you guess
that I'll swing and I'll miss, but I swing nonetheless.

your counter is swift, I weave and recoil
giddy with deceit, giggling at my decoy
throwing you off balance, now you're overstretched
you're laughing as I knock the wind out your chest.
"there's a lesson to be learned from every mistake"
you whisper in my ear as the bell rings, "wait!"
you ask me to write you a hook while we rest
so I swing, maybe I'll miss, but I swing nonetheless.