Do not come to me tame,
With pathetic sighs
And a wounded heart.
Come to me with fire,
Fighting your way in,
Biting and scratching
And sparring to the clinch.
Don't make me look down
In pity and contempt,
Such arrogant restraint
Is no great show of strength.
Cut me up, make me weak,
See what comes right back,
Struggle with me for life,
Give me a decent match.
Do not give up the fight,
Defeated and hang-dog,
Like some little lost doll.
Stop in your tracks, smiling,
Stare me out, dare me,
Test my resolve before you,
Give me a bit of grief.
Take off your gloves with pride,
Lift the visor, show you see,
Drop your armour behind you
And approach with raw dignity.
Grapple with me again,
Run me ragged, wrong footed,
Throw me to the ground,
Collapsed and elated.
