Long in the tooth, blunt in the nail.
they all tell me not to be bitter,
better still, to be better as
only the strong survive; optimistic wit
kidding me like obvious punchlines.
that nigga, that beggar or vagrant,
flagrant with audaciousness,
ambitious, perilous as you like,
stacked odds, much losses and whatnot.
long in the tooth, bloodied amongst hurt;
nail and knuckle, blunt, buckled and broke.