Death Fangs

But in the moment when
all the rage commences,
one combatant holds surprise, but
the other holds animal instincts,
and the growl of murder
in his heart.

So the red handkerchief protected
Jack’s hand but the battle turned,
turned suddenly, and the blow
landed in air, his enemy quicker, ready to kill
while Jack had only aggression and a mild
vision of him winning easily,
no sweat, a few blows
and done.

Instead his antagonist rammed his stomach
with his head, and solar plexus responded,
freeing lungs from air, tumbling Jack backwards onto
tables full of sale merchandise,
faucets, wrenches, plastic
dividers, small screws,
then his hot air returning,
fending off the sharp
teeth knifing into his cheek, blood
spurting instantly into his eye,
and angry mouth opening again
to snatch his jugular,
while his frightened forearms
fought for leverage, the bouncing,
bear-like head groped mightily
and its teeth severed throat-skin
just above the pulsing artery.