Lingerie

by Peter Mladinic

Odd to be thinking about lingerie

in the same breath with Joe Louis

and Floyd Patterson,

even though Floyd could move,

even though he had good footwork.

He fought Ingemar Johansson

three times, winning twice.

They were boxers, heavyweights.

Floyd was groomed by Cus D’Amato,

the trainer boxer Mike Tyson listened to.

Johansson liked Edvard Munch,

the painter’s art. They were Swedes.

Like Floyd and Cus they’re gone.

Mike Tyson knows Scarlett Johansson,

the actor of Swedish heritage.

Her dimpled chin, a remnant of Ingo’s.

Fans liked him. They liked Floyd too.

They weren’t boxers who got in the ring

and kicked, or bit an ear, like Tyson.

Scarlett on the screen is a beauty

in anything and lingerie.

Peter Mladinic’s fifth book of poems, Voices from the Past, is available from Better Than Starbucks Publications.

An animal rights advocate, he lives in Hobbs, New Mexico, United States.