The Boxer

I have examined the heart of my enemy
I have examined the might of my foe
I have constructed a series of strategies
Ways to defeat him and force him to go

*****

I have trained hard to develop my own skills
My strength of arm is now second to none
I will not stop till this battle is over
I will keep fighting till this war is won

*****

To my dull ears the crowd sounds like a bloodhound
Sniffing and barking and baying for blood
They do not care who emerges victorious
Just want the fight in the filth and the mud

*****

As we move through them my minders are talking
Revving me up for the moment to come
They know that each little moment will matter
The final outcome is simply their sum

*****

I see the ref’s mouth, he’s giving instructions
I cannot hear him but I know the score
Play by the rules and be clean, don’t fight dirty
Don’t punch too low and don’t kick, bite or gore

*****

Now is the time when our battle is joined
Now is the time when we war for the crown
Now he stands proud as we wait to begin this
Soon we’ll be joined, then I’ll take him down

*****

Like distant trumpets announcing our coming
I hear the bell that commences our bout
As I move in on my erstwhile opponent
I know I can take him, I don’t have a doubt

*****

Jab after jab seeks my face through my guard
My own quick blows seek a home of their own
Rapid exchanges occur as we open
Neither is giving, thus we set the tone

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Skip to the fourth round and find us now tiring
No quarter given for three full rounds now
Still we are circling each other with malice
Stick to the game plan and you’ll take the bow

*****

20 to go and I sense an opening
A hole in the way he conducts his attack
Jab, jab, jab, CRACK, goes the bomb in the flurry
Suddenly there he is flat on his back

*****

I pace around as he awkwardly rises
Adrenalin’s kicking and I want the kill
The predator in me imagines the finish
Covered in blood and just lying there, still

*****

No need to further continue this battle
The enemy staggers and falls to the mat
The doctor is called and the ref’s arms are waving
They’ll check him for damage and that will be that

*****

As the crowd roars now in blood adulation
I stand and slowly consider my win
I look at my blood-covered gloves and I wonder
Is this sport noble, or is it a sin?