"Like Ali"
Though I don’t consider myself a big boxing fan, I have always greatly admired Muhammad Ali for his courage, strength, dedication, determination and unwavering vision he had for his life. This post is my letter of thanks for all of the lessons and inspiration he has provided humanity by simply living his life unapologetically on his own terms. He declared himself the greatest, and he was.
I wrote this poem as personal battle-cry to inspire myself as I faced a very challenging period in my life back in 2010. I will continue to honor the grace and beauty of Mr. Ali’s strong, fighting spirit…
Like Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
In me lives a fighting spirit
Like Ali
Standing my ground, strong and steady
Primed
Ready for battle
My will, tested time and again
Finally learned to retreat within when necessary
To nurture my silent fighting spirit
Grit my teeth internally
But all you’ll see is my beauty
I’m pretty, I’m so pretty
Just like Ali
I make easy work of the hard
Hidden battle scars
You’ll never see beyond my swift punches
My fancy footwork
Stick and move
Bob and weave
Dodging those pretty words you use to deceive me
Tempting me to trust
But my honesty
Lands like a sucker punch to your head
You hunch over the ropes, drop to the floor
As I stand ready for more
Then you pop up like toast
But still I float like a butterfly
Jab you right in the eye
My sting is that of determination
Picking up the scent of your frustration fuels me
Body and mind
It’s time for me to rise
And shine
And float like a butterfly
Sting like a bee
Bellow my battle cry
I am the greatest
Like Ali
--Cheryl Gunnell, 1/10
I wrote this poem as personal battle-cry to inspire myself as I faced a very challenging period in my life back in 2010. I will continue to honor the grace and beauty of Mr. Ali’s strong, fighting spirit…
Like Ali
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
In me lives a fighting spirit
Like Ali
Standing my ground, strong and steady
Primed
Ready for battle
My will, tested time and again
Finally learned to retreat within when necessary
To nurture my silent fighting spirit
Grit my teeth internally
But all you’ll see is my beauty
I’m pretty, I’m so pretty
Just like Ali
I make easy work of the hard
Hidden battle scars
You’ll never see beyond my swift punches
My fancy footwork
Stick and move
Bob and weave
Dodging those pretty words you use to deceive me
Tempting me to trust
But my honesty
Lands like a sucker punch to your head
You hunch over the ropes, drop to the floor
As I stand ready for more
Then you pop up like toast
But still I float like a butterfly
Jab you right in the eye
My sting is that of determination
Picking up the scent of your frustration fuels me
Body and mind
It’s time for me to rise
And shine
And float like a butterfly
Sting like a bee
Bellow my battle cry
I am the greatest
Like Ali
--Cheryl Gunnell, 1/10