The Boxer by Ross DixPeek

The boxer stands with his gloves at the ready

His gait sure and steady

His eyes aware and to the fore

His mind on the bout and nothing more

But deep within, and on his face written

Are the many scars of a life hard-bitten

And while ne’er shy of a hard-fought fight

There is no longer within the feeling of delight

His face has too oft been made to pay

By an opponent better on the day

And though within beats the heart of a lion

His poor pummelled body has given up tryin’

And while a fighter to his very core

Just the smell of gloves now he does abhor

Yet, still he stands, eyes puffed and blood galore

Still ready to wage a pugilist’s war

As blow after blow upon his battered head does fall

He knows but only one way, and that is the brawl

And though his poor body has long since given in

The Spirit of the “Fighter” knows no such thing!