We start this unruly affair
far below
fightin' weight,
poorly prepared,
undertrained,
cute in the way all babies are cute--
bigheaded, demanding--
writing checks with our dreams
our asses can't cash.
Every one among us
a dark horse.
Outside chance
at best.
Every man wants the same damn thing.
It's not your sex,
but we'll take that too.
Between slim
and none,
we step in the ring,
touch gloves.
Too bad there's no rules
in love-and-war,
but that's the game we play,
low blows all around--
in that way, at least,
everyone gets their share.
Why do these poor fools
keep coming back for more
when we all know
what they're gonna get?
I can't speak for the rest,
but I'm not undisputed, yet,
I've got a country mile of learning left,
but I'll get my licks in
if it kills me.
It prob'ly will.
Let me tell ya', son,
love affairs with gods
get messy.
They never go how you'd expect.
But give me my shot,
turn me loose come hell,
come high water.
Between the devil in my red blood
and the deep blue sea
if there's even a chance
to love like gods, for moments,
for one single lifetime,
there ain't no better game in town.
And I'll take my lumps,
take my kisses too.
When it's all said and done,
when the lights come down,
you'll know
--for damn sure--
I left everything in the ring.
Copyright 2007 Todd Mertz