Standing beneath the dim lights
The boxer stares into the mirror
Daydreaming of past fights
And that lingering fear
Of failure.


His trainer slips his gloves on
He tells him he must strike with violence
Not treat his opponent like a fawn
Then their talk falls to silence
And they can hear the crowd.


The boxers steps out into the arena
The crowd begins to scream
Hoping he'll bring on pain like Katrina
And tear his opponent apart at the seam
Hopefully with a knockout in three.


He steps up into the ring
As the announcer says his name
He knows that he will bring
This man in front of him shame
And show him the way his life has been.