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Even Dundee didn't know
what Ali was up to
in Kinshasa;
yelling at him to
get off the ropes,
imploring him to box
Foreman like
they'd trained for
so many months.
But, Ali ignored Dundee,
instead neutralizing big
George's power by
letting the ropes absorb
the punches.
And, if it ever got
too bad Ali would tie him
up and whisper into
his ear:
"You're weak, George."
"You can't hurt me, George."
"I'm gonna get you, George."
Near the end of the
eighth round, Foreman on
the canvas from a
devastating straight right,
his eyes searching for
something stable,
Ali raised his arms
into the hot night;
once again
the greatest of all times.
Phenomena are rarely
appreciated in their
own time.
Geniuses never.
sometimes, pretending
at happiness
brings only
more sorrow.
justin.barrett lives and writes in Utah, where he also works as a scientist. His latest book, [untitled], is available from Propaganda Press.