Muhammad
Ali who started out in life as Cassius Clay
Perhaps
the greatest boxer of all time but also with humanity traits to display
In
the prime of his boxing career after knocking out the “Bear” not once but twice
As
a converted Muslim in 1964 he in 67 refused to rumble in the jungle in paddies
of rice
Convicted
of draft evasion from his heavy weight title stripped
For
the next for years his conscientious objector status was on the arduous
appellate trip
Until
SCOTUS his conviction overturned
Ringing
the bell to reenter the ring and twice more win back titles in his return
There
is no way the Army would have sent a heavyweight champion to be killed
Imagine
the propaganda for the Viet Cong if the best fight in the world was added to
the butcher’s bill
Ali
could have been like Joe Louis during a righteous war boxing to the troops
entertain
But
in Ali’s mind this was an immoral war which upon the rest of us slowly did dawn
so the draft he had to resist
Principle
before millions of dollars is a hard to find trait
One
of his features that made him first rate
A
poet, author and activist for social rights and cause
As
a boxer dancing in the ring so quick to expose an opponent’s flaws
His
star as it should be is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
But
vertical so his memory will never be walked on and his spirit feel the shame.
So
today Ali sadly proves that against challenges you can win the Thrilla or
master the Rope a Dope
But
a disease like Parkinson’s with all its baggage and punching combos is one that
even The Greatest cannot forever cope
© June 4, 2016, Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet
Alaskanpoet for Hire, Poems to Admire
Alaskanpoet for Hire, Poems to Admire
Poet Extraordinaire Beyond Compare
The Perfect Gift, All Recipients to Receive a Lasting Lift
The Perfect Gift, All Recipients to Receive a Lasting Lift
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