There is no absolution

Luis Resto at 57 is given it up, no more games for him

Billy Collins Jr.
went into the corner
with his face
bashed in
he still
couldn’t believe it
that he could
end up
this way
the undefeated
the Irish hope
and pride

his fathear
sustained him
with a gentle
embrace.

Luis Resto
the victor
slowly he
crossed
the ring
and kissed him
tenderly
sadly
he realized
that he’d
betrayed him
that he’d
betrayed himself
when he saw
that Collins

was doomed
because
of the punishment
he’d inflicted
on him he was
remorseful he wept he weeps
now
there’s no price for
what was done
to betray an innocent and
at the same time
to be betrayed
by someone
who was
close to you by someone
who said
they loved you
like a son “it didn’t matter
to me anymore
whether I lived
or died”
because
there are times
it isn’t enough
to repent
there is no
absolution

I’ve done
wrong
and they’ve
done me
wrong he’s thought
ever since

and thinking
makes you
slow
and it’s
not enough
to have asked
for forgiveness
to carry everything
inside
all this pain
to have
thought of it
every night
of putting an end
to it all
to have nothing
to live for
to always see
Billy’s face
everywhere
to be condemned
to have
served one’s time
and be spent
finished
ever since

Resto
walks
he tries
to hold
his head
high
but
his gaze
is long
and empty
lowered on
the little ball
that he
always
holds
in his
hand

Resto
walks
he tries
to begin
again
but
he can’t
find
a reason
he’s
fifty-seven
years old
now
like
an inconsolable
child
he’s
given it up
seriously
no more
games.