answering the bell

some days you can't answer
the bell.
you sit in the corner,
blood in your eyes.
the sting of punches still
pulsing
in your side.
you look across the wide
canvas
to what's ahead.
someone splashes water
onto your face,
sews up a cut over your eye.
sponges your neck.
go get em, they say.
you can do it.
watch out for his left.
the bell rings.
you lift yourself
on heavy legs,
out of bed, and begin
your day.