Slap Shot
Danny Gingivia neither liked
his teeth nor his nose’s contour
nightly he stared at a life-sized
Wayne Gretzky poster and dreamt
of a future as an ice gladiator
slamming pucks, picking fights
frequenting penalty boxes
fearlessly, proudly, defiantly
daring other hockey players
to match his skill, spill blood,
face off against a bench of rivals
odds insurmountable, glory fleeting.
About the Author: An award-winning author, poet, educator, Sterling Warner’s works have appeared many literary magazines, journals, and anthologies including VERSE-VIRTUAL, THE RAVEN’S PERCH, and LOTHLÓRIEN POETRY JOURNAL. Warner’s poetry/fiction collection include RAGS & FEATHERS, WITHOUT WHEELS, EDGES, MEMENTO MORI, SERPENT’S TOOTH, FLYTRAPS, CRACKS OF LIGHT, HALCYON DAYS: COLLECTED FIBONACCI, ABRAXAS: POEMS, GUNILLA’S GARDEN (2025) and MASQUES: FLASH FICTION & SHORT STORIES. Presently, Warner writes, hosts/participates in “virtual” poetry readings, turns wood, and enjoys fishing in Washington.
Image Credit: Lewis Wickes Hine “Sunday morning relaxation. Park Pond. Frequented by both school and mill boys and girls. Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts.” Public domain image courtesy of The Library of Congress
As It Ought To Be 