Pleasure for the Public

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

The stupid boxer and the prince of doubt

In Denmark have too much in common though

So different.  Both of them are hairy, sprout

With manly patches on their bodies, glow

With tiredness since their worlds exhaust each man.

These two are stupefied because of weight

Of life.  It comes with worsting in its van.

Life comes with friendship turned to schemes of hate,

With manly struggle doomed, defeat a heap

Of loss in boxing ring or royal stage—

No difference, making each man mangled, cheap

As loser, fists or poetry in rage.

  One has a broken nose, the other, soul,

    One broken bronze, one treachery’s sly goal.

~ Phillip Whidden