Floats like a butterfly...
Stings like a bee...
Did I ever tell you about the time
I met Muhammad Ali...

He was a bear of a man
With a voice smooth as silk...
He was a very big man
And thick like buttermilk...

There was calm about his demeanor...
He possessed a certain zen...
But I saw him box once...
He knocked out the best of men...

I said “you’ll always be my champ!”
He pressed his fist against my chin...
He said “just don’t call me no chump!”
And then shared his big grin...

He represented the world
And all that was good...
He’ll always be revered
And it’s right that he should...

One of the greatest boxers ever...
Your “pretty face” bore no scars...
Rest In Peace, Muhammad Ali...
You’ve earned your place among the stars...

© 2021 Jeffrey Pipes Guice