Mouth pink
spit dipped chin/
teeth aching/teeth sinking
skin assaulted with bruises—
bitten raw.
Adrenaline crumbled to collapse–
knees buck/Slump/Bodies skittered
down on the asphalt
one a blanket/covering the bones
of the other.
Fingers tracing/clawing
neurons flailing/riled like worms
left lung ruptured–
alveoli snuffed/blanched.
Blood a bitter copper
caught between mouthfuls
inhale/exhale
breaths that mingle–
air that assaults
that slips/sinks beneath
a cracked clavicle.
Brutality born improvised,
the fight a testament of what has already won.