Adrian Matejka, Poet Laureate of the state of Indiana, 2018 to 2019. He recites "Maltese Cat Toying with a White Mouse," a poem from his volume "The Big Smoke," 2013. On the projection screen behind Mr. Matejka is a video clip of a Jack Johnson versus Tommy Burns boxing match. In the ring, the two of them encircle each other.
Burns crouches slightly, darting from side to side, as Johnson steps forward. Slightly lunging, Johnson forces Burns toward the ropes. He throws punches one after the other, unrelenting, forcing Burns to back away again and again.
They grapple together, Burns crouching down with every blow that Johnson hurls. Johnson pulls his arm back and delivers punches one after the other until Burns cowers.
Text on the video screen: Jack Johnson versus Stanley Ketchel. October 16, 1909.
Several men stand in the ring, commiserating, as spectators crowd around its rim. The fighters walk into the ring and engage with each other, throwing punches in the air. Johnson lobs jabs in quick succession, darting back and forth.
They throw, they clinch, they push each other.