Life's Wrestling Match

Oh-ho life’s wrestling match can press hearts hard against the ropes

They reel beneath the body-slamming keel of dreams and hopes

Earth’s four-wall ring of seasons binds time’s wounds with nature’s laws

September’s crickets fling their stippled praises without pause

Time does not weary; only we who struggle and compete

The countdown of moments urges us back up to our feet

Oh, pray that we fight to the point of blood, sweat, prayers and tears

Until the gong sounds and the last round of time disappears

Sometimes the ropes that hold us in are green with sheen of spring

Its referee a peony, flash of tanager’s wing

Sometimes the ropes are cold and startle us and steal our breath

September’s gold rolls like a brave opponent daring death

Oh-ho, life’s wrestling match can catch a crowd-gazer off guard

September’s charm sounds an alarm; left-right, soft-step, now hard

The champion of a challenge does not quit; hope spurs him on

A prize can only be collected when the fight is won

© Janet Martin