The Boxer



Though I was a madman
I don't regret a thing
For madness is an asset
When I'm fighting in the ring

A boxer though they called me
A warrior or a king
What others had to say
Was not as flattering

Let's look back to the night
As the bell began the round
I cocked my fist back
And quickly knocked him down

His eyes they stayed open
As he spasmed on the mat
A gruesome sight to see
In the corner where I sat

Convulsions came to close
As he breathed his last breath
Then the people looked to me
For the cause of his death

My emotions were confused
Did I cross a line?
My trainer said to me
"It happens sometimes"

Right then my arm was raised
I looked on toward the crowd
They were mostly silent
And some heads were bowed

A lot of years have passed
Since that fateful night
Why should I feel guilt?
It was my job to fight!

I've thought it all through
I know I'm not to blame
It was the madman in me
The one who is insane

But my mind still wanders
Watching toward the skies
In my dreams I see
Those soulless open eyes

I know my time will come
Yes, we all will get the call
I have asked forgiveness
For giving this world my all

About this poem

I was tasked to write a poem that rhymes. So I did and this happened!

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Submitted by Risingwerdz on November 19, 2023

1:18 min read
80

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXA BAXA CXXX XDBD XEBE XXBX XFXF XCXC XXBX XGBG XHXH
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 1,141
Words 254
Stanzas 11
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Tim Strauss

I write because it helps me realize how I really feel. more…

All Tim Strauss poems | Tim Strauss Books

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Discuss the poem The Boxer with the community...

4 Comments
  • Ruthmahogany
    I like your poem. As I read, tis like the words were sang to me... Lovely
    LikeReply 13 months ago
  • npirandy
    Good job! This is one I pinned this month.
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • nadiaarya00
    It makes me think of the Rocky movies with Sylvester Stalone. I felt the character's dilemma in the poem. I liked it since my husband used to box when he was younger.
    LikeReply4 months ago
  • Andy.C.Kraus
    As a veteran, this sat deep with me. Although the context might be different, the outcome and the feelings couldn't be more the same.
    LikeReply 14 months ago

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"The Boxer" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/175599/the-boxer>.

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Who wrote the poem "Dreams"?
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