The Opponent (by James Leland Ludeau III from Lafayette, LA)

in the ring

fighting for my life

against the ropes

bloodied and battered

shaken

dazed

blindly swinging my arms just to stay on my feet

and he says "let me take some of the punches for you tonight"

as i feel a fist crash into my ribs

knocking the wind out of me

and i collapse onto the mat

blood flying out of my nostrils

i feel like a crazed bull

my spirit unbroken

i choke on the taste of my own blood

i get back up

who is this enemy that is so strong?

my eyes too swollen to focus

i gather enough resolve to crawl

and in a moment i'm back on my feet

i'm swaying

i have an opera in me

he's the reason i sing

i feel the electric blow hit my jaw

blackness 

i come to

someone with a cold rag is wiping my face

and i'm determined

back on my feet

i punch and i flail

i kick and i scream and i cry

with all of my might i grab his throat

i wrap my hands around his neck

i squeeze

i feel his pulse through his jugular vein

he gasps for breath

hypoxic

and he's down on the mat

10, 9, 8, 7, 6....

5, 4, 3 , 2,....

1 

i've won

i grab his helmet and rip it off

he's me

i'm the opponent 

my ego lays on the mat lifeless

now maybe i'll find some peace