For us, the feeling is real. 

we are not fooled but innately wired 

to the universal story of face v heel. 

you can’t fake impulse. We’re not mired 

in predeterminism, but bell to bell 

we live, engrossed in gladiatory tussle 

our chants, cheers, boos, music. We jointly sell 

our roles of listener/maestro flex like muscle, 

our combined hustle, a partnered crescendo. 

this hick sport Scorsese; this brute Shakespeare; 

Greek theatre with panto innuendo; 

ultra-physical dance. “That’s fake”, you sneer, 

unlike X falsity you cherish with zeal.  

Like us, for you, the feeling is real. 

James Staynings, when he isn’t teaching English, records and edits what the voices in his head tell him to write. Some have helped him write flash fiction for Flash Fiction North and Literally Stories. Those from Parts Unknown have helped him write interesting analytical articles on pro wrestling for Sickos Club, Last Word on Wrestling and Voices of Wrestling.