When I Boxed Poem by Randy McClave

I remember in my younger days
When boxing was all the craze,
It was on tv and every towns local event
Great times and memories was there spent.
It didn't cost a penny to learn to box
So, anyone and everyone was able to throw rocks,
No matter who that you were
Wanting to box no one ever did try to deter.
You came to the club to learn and train
Skills and technique everyone wanted to attain,
And when they boxed it was for the skill
Which brought excellence and excitement and a thrill.
Boxing was always one on one
You were the king piece, and not a sacrificial pawn,
It didn't cost you a penny to box or to learn
As skill and recognition you did honestly earn.
I remember the coaches never did smoke or took drugs and did not swear
For each person training in the club they did truly care,
I remember those days of my youth
And even the time that I lost a tooth.
I was never charged a fee to box
But, I did buy my own mouthpiece and shoes and socks,
Boxing was never a member or an entitlement Club
It is the sport that the coaches and the boxers loved.
The coaches always taught and trained everyone for free
Because, help in the heart and the eyes they did see,
I remember when helping the athletes was the creed
Sadly, now boxing is controlled by money and greed.

Randy L. McClave