[Kisenosato hears the failure demons]
what a difference
a single calendar year
makes for a man’s life
Kisenosato’s gone from
yokozuna to hated
at Aki basho
nearly seven years ago,
he was shukun-sho
the outstanding performer,
and rising young superstar
at Natsu basho
almost five years back, the young
lord finished second
this led to domineering
run as east ozeki
at next twenty-two
basho, he was runner-up
in half of all them
a year ago, dominant
Kisenosato stood tall
last Hatsu basho,
Kisenosato sealed his
destiny with win
the adoring crowd through seat
cushions in adoration
next was official
promotion ceremonies -
new yokozuna
at Haru basho, he won
again, as yokozuna
Kisenosato
seemed on top of sumo world,
face of the future
but destiny can be cruel,
and fuck your shit up right quick
the next two basho,
he toughed it out, not looking
entirely healthy
last basho in Tokyo, last
September, he was absent
a yokozuna
sitting out for injury’s
allowed, but not loved
last basho, he came back weak,
finished with losing record
on this fourth day bout,
against Kotoshogiku,
he briefly had shine
but his fire’s no longer strong,
he was outlasted, tossed down
for split second, he
upon one knee, looked down at
the sand, bewildered
the pomp and circumstances
no longer so wonderful
the crowd gasped in shock
at his third loss in four days…
no dominance left
voices whisper retirement,
past his prime at thirty-one
a yokozuna
can’t give up kinboshi gold
star day after day
a yokozuna can’t be
a loser regularly
after the scandal
which caused Harumafuji’s
retirement, eyes watch
first time in forever the
emperor won’t attend bouts
Japanese people
hoping for a bonus for
Japanese culture
the only yokozuna
truly Japanese can’t lose
Kisenosato’s
sad eyes tell a larger tale,
one of dreams gone dark
this humane world eats us all
up, one by one, day by day
[the full match, should you care to care]
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