Fencing

Snicker-snack
Swish-swash
clish-clash
The blades strike

Lunging,
dodging,
evading
charging

Clad in white,
head clad
arm extended
Knees over ankles.

A breath...
and then forward,
testing the blade
checking for strength

thrusting, clashing, beating
metal grinding on metal
twisting, and piercing
For the point.

Back and forth,
charging and retreating
attacking and parrying
watching and watching

Trading blows for blows
Being struck and striking back
ages aching, arms tired
Out of breath.

A moment.

And then the rush
feigning and beating
Going for the strike.
For the final point

four, six, seven or eight
All areas to aim for;
The chest...
Strike!

A final beat
A twist of the blade
Scoring a hit
with a bit of metal.

So snicker-snack
Swish-swash
clish-clash
The blades strike..

Striking
in alien rhythm
setting pace
all night long

In the Fencing club.