Boxers - John Parish

Like boxers

Find nobility in violence

& no ability to see sense

Like boxers

Blinkered & bare breasted pugilism

How we all try to keep the fighter within

Like boxers

Looked for safety in a clinch

& they were bruised but unflinching

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Sweet anticipation of the landing of the first blow

& how much better is the devil you know

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From tattered lip a little blood spurt

You always love the ones you hurt

Though they were hanging on the ropes

They weren’t about to give up hope

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Falling & counting

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