A Fair Fight

A Fair Fight

most men
seem 
to desire
warmth 
and tenderness
from 
a lover

most men
seem 
to desire
understanding
and acceptance
from 
a lover

all that's good
but
what i desire
most
from a lover
now
is a fair fight
a contest
between opponents
that makes
both
better
as fighters
and competitors

what i want
is a lover
who understands
in a fair fight
there'll
be
errant
low blows
and thumbs
to the eye
which we accept
as exceptions
to the rules
of our sport
and not
an accepted
strategy
for winning

give me a woman
who understands
either winning
or losing
in a fair fight
is better
than any amount
of tenderness
or understanding
outside
the rules
of a fair
and even
contest

if i ever
find
such a woman
i'll give her the respect
and attention
of a champion opponent
giving her
the focus
making her
the center
of my existence
as we train 
for the most important
12 rounds
of our lives

if i ever
find 
such a woman
i'll gladly exchange
adulterated
yet
tender kisses
for 
pure
split
bloody lips
and coerced
yet
sweet caresses
for the genuine
bruised
swollen eyes
of a
fair fight