Jersey Son

in an alley
dark
and empty
at the heart
of Harrison Ave
one day
in Jersey City
shots
were heard

in the afternoon
Frankie de Paula
fell

cut down
where
there’s
no heaven
or earth
defeated

he sleeps
now
now
and forever
the one
who
never went
fifteen rounds
who
never had
to train
to achieve
a thing

force
doesn’t always win
often fortune does.