ABC  

 

An after dark refuge for the boredom

of wild lads, that would otherwise turn bad.

Hitting the pads they came to understand routine

know what discipline means, when told to break.

 

Rocky music raised the pulse here,

as boxers, not dead-beats skipped to the beat

of aspirations.

 

Hard work, bumps and bruises

came their way; a little blood as well.

A few found their calling; most

found self respect to be the greatest prize.

 

Lessons learned in a hard knock life

by lads now grown, mostly

with their heads on straight. 

 

But that was then; 

Condemned now, this place has become

a boarded-up building empty of hope,

 

one less place to go and repeated

everywhere!  With time to kill

wild lads now spill, from darker corners

as heavier blows land upon frailer chins.

 

What ‘did’ we expect?

 

This new lot can’t box smart.

We haven’t given them the tools.

They’re hitting out, blinded

to the damage being done

by cuts they cannot see...

 

This wont end well

                                 a

                                   b

                                     c

 

Note; not part of anything to do with the Olympics - timing is just coincidental.