Black Butterfly
There never was
anyone like Ali
between the ropes
or facing the public.
In the ring and out
we saw a man
float like a butterfly,
sting like a bee.
He was to boxing
what Astaire
was to dancing,
what Sinatra was
to singing.
A nonpareil.
But no one stopped
Fred from dancing
or Frank from singing
because of a war
Ali and many
never understood.
Donal Mahoney
