first free write in ages

God, I could do with throwing a sucker punch

and my head the grateful recipient

or perhaps ‘grateful’ is pushing it a little

but at least ‘deserving’ would be fitting

just haul back and let fly

unleash the pent up disaffection

swing, arc of perfection

straight from the shoulder, like he always told me I should

and in the ricochet

the whiplash second of rebound

as neck whips back, snaps to one side

tears, sweat, blood drops fly

potential kinetic potential again

and the moment stretches as I

step back, disbelief

wait for the response I have to offer

and for a moment, sparks

eyes promise life, perhaps

or at least retaliation of some kind

apathy slapped into action

but instead, sigh, droop

head – snapped-slapped

drops back to chest

shuffle, retreat, wallow