Joe Louis - The Legendary Rematch of Champions!

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Open Poetry #43

Joe Louis - The Legendary Rematch of Champions!

Newpoet
Member

since 2008-05-16

Posts 72

0 posted 2008-08-14 05:03 PM

~Joe Louis~

~The Legendary Rematch of Champions~

Racism was still thriving after slavery.
There were only two sports for a black man to see,
Track and field and boxing from society’s discriminatory pity.

When Joe Louis had won a bout in the great boxing show,
The world listened to their radios,
From America to France to Mexico,
The stage had been set for the competitive blow.

It began as racism to see Louis defeated,
But as he rose in the boxing ranks, some ignorance depleted.

Joe Louis was appreciated in a rematch against his prior foe,
A humble former champion, who knocked out Louis before,
Max Schmeling was considered an Aryan Nazi,
He was constantly criticized by racist propaganda - invoking paparazzi.

Each man represented a nation that couldn’t lose,
In the boxing arena, a political and social war was fused.

When the chess match finally began,
Louis had a physiological plan,
The determination of a nation was in his hands.

Lefts, rights, uppercuts, and hooks!
This fight was already in the books.

Joe Louis destroyed Schmeling in the first round!
He confidently defended his heavyweight crown.
When Schmeling hit the canvas ground,
Only one nation had joy to be found.

After the bout was over,
Hitler was so disgraced by Schmeling’s defeat,
He forced him into the paratrooper feat.

Max never hated Joe Louis, as the media prescribed,
He even became a pallbearer when Louis died.

After their second bout, Louis became a symbol for hope.
The Brown Bomber helped all of America to cope.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1 posted 2008-08-14 10:05 PM

Yo Newpoet,

Yes, you have it right. This is very good work.

It's interesting to note, that as they grew old, Max treated Joe Louis better than Joe's own United States did.

I loved to hear Joe Lewis fight over the radio in those years. Yeah, I'm that old.

Bobby

[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (08-15-2008 08:12 PM).]

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

2 posted 2008-08-15 05:47 PM

Captivating story well told, thank you for the reminder.

Love,
Margherita

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

3 posted 2008-08-15 06:13 PM

Newpoet,

Here's a good web page on Joe Louis, and his friend Max.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Louis

Bobby

[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (08-15-2008 08:12 PM).]

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