The Retired Journeyman By Phil Anselmo

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by warrior85, Jan 14, 2009.


  1. warrior85

    warrior85 R.I.P THUNDER Full Member

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    May 30, 2007
    BY PHILIP H. ANSELMO
    A trained; composed; skilled fist
    can strike out at an opponent for only so long
    before it connects directly into the hearts of loved ones closest.
    A pugilistic dementia reaction of habit
    with a system in slow motion.
    Done by thirty-three
    and bitter about it.
    What could have been!
    Not a single promise kept.
    No limelight.
    Golden gloves trophies, colorless ribbons
    and lost timelines…
    gather dust
    next to a stack of unopened mail;
    forgotten for months.
    Or years.
    Bloodstains on a battle tested brain.
    A warrior
    fed back to the cruel streets unwanted and
    left to cope alone
    with predictable failure lying await in ambush
    ticking like a time bomb inside of himself.
    Whether it be nerve-damaged ticks
    violent, abrupt outbursts
    fists through framed family photos
    or bottom shelf tequila—
    this man is but a trapped, wounded hero
    with torn pride inside.
    A sad baggage to heave around
    with nowhere to put it,
    nor knowledge of how to.
    The Retired Journeyman will be remembered
    as the portrayal of a man that left his mark
    as the loser of boxing matches
    by those of us who lived through his losses
    and have scorned his name because of them.
    But let us take a moment to allot compassion for him
    because to remember his name
    is to know the unparalleled and oft-misguided courage it takes
    to climb through the ropes, and into the ring
    with nothing left.
    For every champion, they must first meet The Journeyman…
    who’s scarred face serves its purpose
    and with every punch it receives, it
    only serves as a detriment to this man’s health
    and further distances him, from him.
    Woe to The Journeyman—
    a hollow young man
    with only directionless; puzzled memories of combat
    left on his head.
    Bereft of family or friends
    sitting quietly in his lonely squat—
    uninvited, yet familiar company is kept
    and can always be found seated in an opposing corner of the house
    in a dimly lit smoker
    waiting for the bell to ring
    in The retired Journeyman’s
    aspiration-dead
    imagination.
     
  2. warrior85

    warrior85 R.I.P THUNDER Full Member

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    May 30, 2007

    yea hes good friends with manny steward&writes articles for various boxing websites.hes also trained a fighter called the anvil?:huh:D
     
  3. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

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    Apr 30, 2006
    Thanks for posting. It's every bit well written, sad, and in too many cases, all too true.