Kid

tell me
how
it could happen
the champ
who danced
in the ring
and knew
how to hit

tell me
how
it could happen
the one
Griffith laid out
with a perfect
right hook

he thought
he’d won
and instead

he’s asleep
on a hillside
Benny “Kid” Paret
on a hillside
in the Bronx

with
a champion’s belt
carved
in his headstone
they said
“there’s no reason
to have a show
like that
anymore”

that boxing
should be done
that the show
is “too cruel”

Benny Kid Paret
had called him
maricon

he wound up
penned
in a corner
crucified
he slid
slowly down
lifeless
in the
12th round
we mourn him
Paret is dead.