It\u2019s been ten years since they dragged you away kicking and\nscreaming,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glory days long gone, running only on pride, the fuel source\nburns out fast, the goal plausible only in your mind,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blocked at every turn, by medics concerned for your\nwell-being, also by fellow competitors reluctant to waste time with old and\nwashed-up has-beens,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was the end of the road, you were adrift with no final\ndestination, might as well call it quits, defying your heart\u2019s urgings,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pursued different paths in retirement, took to \u2018em like\nmismatched puzzle pieces, that appetite for combat insatiable, born fighters be\nrestless in times of peace and quiet,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Got various debts, too, to pay off, born out of bad luck and\nyour own misjudgement,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuck to you like glue, can\u2019t shake \u2018em, not while bereft of\nyour main source of income,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still getting by anyway, treading water on most days, while\ntime marches on with precious few breaks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An opportunity of sorts popped up one day, out of the blue,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether it was smart or a fool\u2019s errand inconsequential,\nsounded too good to be true,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A return to the grand stage where you once shone, a chance\nto turn back the clock,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe to ease your burdens, a chance to overcome life\u2019s\nstumbling blocks,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it doesn\u2019t work that way, can\u2019t mask reality with ego\nand delusion,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even in an exhibition it was over in less than a minute,\nwith you on the wrong end of it,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time to walk away, it\u2019s a young man\u2019s game, the ring is no\nlonger your sanctuary,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019d had your time, been a quarter of a decade now,\nsoldiering on can only lead to catastrophes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your name still carries weight, why not explore other\nventures? Some of your former peers have done that, life for them as sweet as\nsugar,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe pass on your craft, to the young\u2019uns that still look\nup to you, including one of your own, why not be a mentor to whom he can turn\nto?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whichever way you go, wish you nothing but the best, <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You gave your all to entertain, your legacy shouldn\u2019t end in\nvain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s been ten years since they dragged you away kicking and screaming, Glory days long gone, running only on pride, the fuel source burns out fast, the goal plausible only in your mind, Blocked at every turn, by medics concerned for your well-being, also by fellow competitors reluctant to waste time with old and washed-up … <\/p>\n