My heart has taken to boxing,
or rather,
has decided
she is a double end bag*
and training time
takes place in the scarce sanctity of night.

Whoever's working her over
is a brawler -
left jab      relentless right      left hook -
scrapping till dawn
rabbit punch      another mouse*       oh, screw
the neutral corner.

In between bouts,
she quivering-reverberating-regroups.
She cannot escape,
chained to floor and ceiling
as she is
but she practices her defence
her lonely, sole strategy brave resistance.
As for all the fouls,
the head butts and low blows,
she must develop a chin* for she currently sports
a glass jaw*.

No glass slipper, eh, sister?

Naaaah         never wanted        never expected.


Double end bag = Punching bag chained or tied to floor and ceiling.
Mouse = A swelling on the face, forehead or head.
Chin = Having a strong chin, being able to stay standing despite punishing blows.
Glass Jaw = A boxer who is especially susceptible to a knockout is said to have a glass jaw.