The Boxer

"I am just a poor boy"

This line establishes the speaker's humble beginnings and sets the tone for his struggles.

"Though my story's seldom told"

It suggests a sense of invisibility and the feeling that his experiences are overlooked by society.

"I have squandered my resistance"

This indicates a loss of willpower, reflecting the toll that hardship has taken on him.

"Asking only workman's wages, I come looking for a job"

This line highlights his desperation for employment and the harsh economic realities he faces.

"Just a come-on from the whores on 7th Avenue"

This stark imagery emphasizes his loneliness and the unwelcoming environment he finds himself in.

"I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome"

This admission reveals his emotional vulnerability and the depths of his isolation.

"In the clearing stands a boxer"

The boxer symbolizes resilience, standing firm despite the challenges he faces.

"And he carries the reminders Of every glove that laid him down"

This line conveys the weight of past struggles and the scars they leave behind.

""I am leaving, I am leaving""

This repetition underscores his desire to escape his circumstances, yet acknowledges his inability to fully let go.

"But the fighter still remains"

This line encapsulates the theme of perseverance, suggesting that despite his hardships, he continues to fight.