Roll With The Punches Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Why do you have those bruises,
All over your face?

'I am taking boxing lessons.
I love it.
I just had my first one.'

Boxing lessons?
You should be taught first,
How to 'bob and weave'.
At least know when,
To protect your face.

'I thought the same thing too.
But my instructor is from the old school.
He's not into using those tired rules.
And after I put on my gloves,
To begin to bob and weave...
He hit me twice in the face.
To then say to me...
Learning to roll with the punches,
Is the best lesson he can teach me.'

You should have ducked.

'I was already on the mat.
He also said...
Life is about expectations.
And the moment someone gets hit,
The first thing they do is make excuses.
Pretending they are prepared,
When they are not.'

So what are you learning?

'More about life than I thought.
I can always heal from bruises.
But excuses to make,
He is helping me to eliminate.'