Pistol Whipped

-
The face
of the future,
sweet cherub ,
beaten to a pulp
like Rocky Balboa
after Apollo Creed,
but rather than ice
smoothing out
the rough spots,
the raw beef
allowed to turn
rancid as the victim
becomes the perp
blamed for the audacity
of being in the wrong
place at the wrong time
despite being shepherded
into the slaughter house
by those in possession
of the fire and lead.

Tony Pena - Beacon, NY

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