Before he was undisputed champion

they’d detract from his skill

wanting him to take blows for dollars.

But he was smart and gained the crown

taking as few punches as possible,

quick on his feet,  weaving in the ring

in a way that confounded

some thinking no fight had been fought at all

and that they had  been cheated.

After that he changed his name which freaked them.

Who’d ever heard of Mohammed

American star?

Then, he refused to support the  war

against straw hat peasants,

rejecting the certain adulation

of troops, sent to die

for the notions and greed of established men.

For this, he gave up his splendid career

and went to jail, a  true believer.

Later he supported old age homes

and led a plain family life,

shaking like many before him,

speaking with excruciating effort,

he who is always my hero,

the greatest of all

Some Didn’t Love Him

with love and appreciation for Mohammed Ali

Before he was undisputed champion

they’d detract from his skill

wanting him to take blows for dollars.

But he was smart and gained the crown

taking as few punches as possible,

quick on his feet,  weaving in the ring

in a way that confounded

some thinking no fight had been fought at all

and that they had  been cheated.

After that he changed his name which freaked them.

Who’d ever heard of Mohammed

American star?

Then, he refused to support the  war

against straw hat peasants,

rejecting the certain adulation

of troops, sent to die

for the notions and greed of established men.

For this, he gave up his splendid career

and went to jail, a  true believer.

Later he supported old age homes

and led a plain family life,

shaking like many before him,

speaking with excruciating effort,

he who is always my hero,

the greatest of all