#thisoneisn'taroughdraft

Cartilage in the nose cracks the moment the leather hits your face.

“This cup is the new covenant” you laugh, spitting warm blood from

your lips, your chin.

Your sparring partner does not appreciate Hilarious Atheism.

One two gloved punch then your body

finds the sandpaper mat,

you remember this part,

don’t you?

deep breath

still, closed,

your scarless

knuckles pull your fingers

now

use them to push only the ground

your soft Soul plays puppet string tendons to stand

You smile to yourself, sliding your palm across your face.

Deep Breath.

You place your fingerprints gently on their skin

again