Get Up, Stand Up

Having never had a fat lip.
A black eye. A cauliflower ear.
Having never slugged it out
in a boxing ring. Having never

had a ‘proper’ fight, at school
nor any time since,
I begin to wonder if I’ve missed
out on a character building experience.

‘Violence is not the answer,’
you say, and so do I, but perhaps
knowing you know how to handle yourself
is good for the confidence.

Not that I feel I’ve been unduly pushed around.
I’ve stood my ground
(just like my quiet dad used to)
when it’s been necessary.

And, as more than one person has told me
(although it’s not totally true)
‘You never do anything
you don’t want to do.’


Get Up, Stand Up