Poetic Punches

A poetic battle of wits

Was what the reports said

Then he wished me well

Before he wished me dead!

Confident I remained

I refused to be intimidated or scared

"May the best poet win!"

Was what I declared!

This battle finally began

Starting on the Fourth-of-July

An appropriate date it seemed

I'm sure that you understand why

The poetic volley was started

As they both stood head-to-toes

A heated exchange of lines was heard

Reciting their cleverly aimed prose

A swipe from the left

A jab to the right

Poetic expressions

Showing their might

The verbal lashings were fierce

With fiery retorts in rhyme

As it seemed to each casual observer

That this battle could last a long time

For hours it seemed to endure

They raged throughout the night

Until the crack of dawn

Through the first glimpse of morning light

Still this poetic battle continued

Both voices hoarse now and sore

Until finally one poet seemed to stumble

Dropped to his knees on the floor

But even near defeat that poet

Refused to give in and concede

How long this would've continued

Before someone would intercede

Finally someone stepped in and said "Stop!"

"This verbal abuse must cease!"

The battling poets were silent

Exhausted, but finally at peace

This epoch battle of words was ended

But neither poet was truly disgraced

When the champion of poets was declared

The champion poet had been replaced!