By Will Kirkland, 2008

I am wrestling with myself

The old continuous struggle.

First one side pinned to the floor,

the other nearly triumphant.

Where is the referee! Finish the count!

Then an escape, a fast arm strikes!

I am facing myself once again,

both sides on their knees, hands extended,

looking for a grab and a hold.

Now up on their feet. Circling.

Breath coming hard.

Canny by now, the young and the old.

One goes for the knees! The other kicks free!

An arm grab! A take down! A double reverse!

On it goes. No one is watching. The referee’s biased

first the one then the other. They go on fighting

to the death, as is said.

Will Kirkland 9/6/08