The boxing match between us—
my fingers wrapped in scarlet and your chin bruised.
Untamable me.
Taking my punches; the fractures in your heart and stitches
in your lips. My dreams feed on your pain, the agony in your eyes.
These leather gloves are soft, my fists are cruel.
Still you stand.
If I had another second I’d be able to knock you out—
but the clock is shattered and my blood is cold
and I see the glitter in your teeth.
We kiss, victorious.
I hate this writing in me—I puke poetry when I fight you.
This match was to be the defeat of you. Yet
you bow, let me beat your eyes and guts till
the blood spills over your feet.
The taste of gold is bitter; your mind is sweet in my memory.
Congratulations,
my brain is torn.
Abigail Allen is an undergraduate at Miami University. She has been published in SUNY Oswego’s “Great Lake Review,” and in the literary journal, “Gandy Dancer.” Abigail is currently in the process of editing a novella.