When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Gets Going but…

I've had just enough time...   to shed a tear for the fighter

Taken from St. John Fort in Malacca on a rainy day

When I was young I was taught 

“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”

That is how I lived my Life

Which saw me through many fights

These scars bear witness to the fact

It is not courage I lack

For I believe - “The tough gets up from the dust”

Now the dust has cleared

And clearly I see the battle field

The broken spear, the fallen shield

Comrades that shared a drink and laugh

Now laying face down in the dust

My weary hand can't hold up the sword

Without a sound to the ground it drops

It takes an effort not to sink to my knees

There is no more fight left in me

I slowly turn and walk away

My Life will change from this day

It doesn’t matter what others say

How I ran away from the fray

Even a hero must call it a day…

The Young Boxers of Lumpini Stadium.

I've had just enough time to...   watch young boxers fight for their family.

Taken from the ringside in Lumpini Stadium, Bangkok of the young fighters.

“Violence is not the way to a better life.”

Try telling it to these children from the slum.

“It is not!” You insisted “The solution”.

Do you have a better one?

“But it is not right! Having children to fight!”

No it is not. But you live in a different world.

You do not know hunger. You have a roof over your head.

They do know love. Their fists look after their family.

Ironical isn’t it? Love, I mean.

Bashing the daylight out of your opponent so your family gets to eat.

They will bash you too if you get into their ring.

You know what is wrong but you do not know how to put it right.

What good may I ask, is that?

So leave this world of broken noses and bloodied lips,

So you can get some sleep,

In your world where children don’t have to fight to eat.

______

In the clearing stands a boxer

And a fighter by his trade

And he carries the reminders

Of ev'ry glove that layed him down

Or cut him till he cried out

In his anger and his shame

"I am leaving, I am leaving"

But the fighter still remains

Simon And Garfunkel The Boxer