Psychologists call eating one “constrained
risk,” helping humans savor pain and fear
sans bodily harm. In Japan, to gain
courage, warriors down a few reds, appear
to form a mental block, feel bulletproof
on the battlefield. Karate champs chomp
them to firm mind and will. Call me a goof,
but that’s how I feel when I see you. Stomp
my foot, it’s as if you’ve tied a flower
around my toe. Stare in my eyes, I turn
into Clark Kent’s better self, with powers
beyond mortal guys. Your smile makes me burn
like I’ve chewed ten Trinidad Scorpions.
I’m a one-man Super Bowl champion!
Roger Armbrust
February 18, 2012
