Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali,

You are Bold and confident

Even your stride knows

As you climb onto the ring, the crowd welcomes you with

Discouragement that tries to weigh down those fearlessly squared shoulders.

They expect you to deject, withdraw all sullen and deflated,

But don't let them forget that your presence

Is invigorating and vivid and alive

In spite of wearing a coat of hate-filled stares.

A life of punches and blows to the head

Each jab for a colored child

And each insult taken to the face,

For the boys and girls who wished their skin was just a bit more mild.

A man who had once shaken the world with his energy

His passion. And his enthusiasm.

Had now fallen silent.

But even this was enough to make the world

Erupt

In despair for the world’s greatest man.

May you, Muhammad Ali, rest in peace,

Because it was you who taught the world to

Float like a butterfly

And sting like a bee.

Muneeza Sheikh (2016)