Cornerman

To go ten rounds with life, you need a good one
Someone to direct and advise, to put a good word in your ear
When you’re yelling at yourself, you need a voice to rise above it
And a soft hand on your shoulder to sit you in your stool

A splint for weakened shins
A bandage for bleeding knuckles
A tissue for your running nose
And tears that turn to puddles
Some stitches for your chin
And ice for aching muscles
A cloth to clean your cuts and scars
And triumph for your struggles

I’ve been guarding my chest for many years
I’ve accepted the blows that landed on my body
With newfound strength, I lurch my way forward
I regain the vigor that I’d lost for so long

A rope to keep you in it
A ring for you to learn
A head to think you through it
Respect you have to earn
So keep your mind about you
This time will come to pass
One day, you’ll land one final blow
And sit life on its ass