Well-considered bruise
Bestowed with grace and
Chased with chaste massage to
Mitigate the pain
I reciprocate by
Nearly taking out your knee
Formidable contusion
This pacific interchange, this
Tit-for-tat
Yields dented masks, torn socks
--but rarely ends in stitches--
We're merely swapping marks of
Tangible affection
A catalog tattooed upon the hand and arm and leg
A testament to friendships sealed with
Just a little bit of blood
