The Boxers

We've lived hard as punchers and dancers,
keeping always the weight on our toes.
looking out between fists and defenses,
gloves projecting, protecting from blows.

We took hits, kept on bobbing and weaving,
made feints, took advantage of slips;
lived life as a trading of punches,
each of which can cut winning adrift.

Our victories bought wine, song, and women.
We spent all our winnings, then some;
learned the costs and the losses of glory:
lost track of both fights and divorces:
…not the fact we are no longer young.

Was it luck or skill in the balance?
Were we good? Not as hard as we tried.
In the end, what we did was ask questions
and receive for our trouble half-lives.