THE PRIZEFIGHT
THE PRIZEFIGHT
By Farah Lawal Harris, 2024
I balled my fists up and assumed a fighting stance.
i couldn’t see his hands.
i skipped around the ring to look menacing.
He appeared to do nothing.
i shouted insults, a list of all the things that were his fault.
The bell dinged and it was time for the brutal assault.
I swung and swung until my shoulders burned
and the taste of copper crept on my tongue.
“How could you do me wrong? Our love was a beautiful song!” I cried.
I cried and cried some more.
He picked me up and hugged me,
slid the red gloves off my red palms,
then whispered to me once I was calm:
“The fact that you were fighting
means you still believe.”
The bell dings.
Unanimous decision in favor of me.
Victory!