Slapstick

The men
stood either side of each other,
thick gloves clutching four corners
of thin air.

It seemed
strange that nothing
could be such a weighty matter,
but the way they moved,

shuffling
cautiously, each step measured
and tentative, their arms
straining,

told me that nothing
could be more dangerous,
as if they were ushering
a caged beast,

or anticipating
the child tearing round
the corner, punching a hole
in the air.