Friday, January 1, 2021

Absence of Blade

I miss… 

Calluses 
The gnarly evidence of repetition 

Contusions 
A chromographic record of encounters 

Chaos 
The slop and tangle of uniform and gear 
The fertile mess of armory 

But most of all 

Camaraderie 
The shout and bustle of the salle 
Loving rivalry and sweaty hugs 

One would think the trade-off’s not so bad: 
My joints heal, I bank sleep, mend and wire 
Heck, I haven’t lost a bout since spring 

Nonetheless, I find I’d rather have 
Rough edges, bumps and bruises 
Minor injuries, fatigue 
Some scraps and wrangles 

That being so, 
When opportunity presents 
I know I will reach out and 
Take the blade again