The journey begins
I’m the journey man
the one the publisher brings out
to give the kids
a full work out
show them the ropes he says
but please don’t hurt them
so I give them the benefit
of my experience
the tricks I’ve learnt
up here
on this damn thing
let them know what they gotta do
to get the crowd onside
the drunks listening
the best shots in
I’m the journey man
been here far too long
but I was champion once
held the title briefly
but it’s hard work
to maintain that sort of thing
you have to keep working
on your jab and your moves
and I preferred living
a little
but I won’t let it go that easily
so I’m here to give the kids
some experience
a feign here
a step back there
then hit them hard
in the heart
not enough to break it
or them
but just enough
to let them see what the pain
really feels like
I work on their head
get in there and show them
what’s going on
get them protecting themselves
building that defence
and when the MC ain’t lookin’
I pull them in close
and give them a few
liver shots
I’m the journey man
the man they drag out
to take on the contenders
the fresh faces
not supposed to beat them
just give them a good fight
make them work
for their moment
never been on the canvas
always there til the end
i dance them around the ring
make them work
for their scoring shots
but some of them
well they get lazy
take it easy on the old man
and I have to remind them
that nothing comes easy
not even this journey man
so cover up
back yourself
bite down on your mouth guard
but be ready to step up
when you see the openings
Yeah I’m the journey man
but when I talk about heartbreak
I mean the real pain of dead loves
and the ghosts they create inside of us
when I talk about redemption
I know that it is real and true
but I also know you have to earn it
not just need it
and when I say I’ve killed a man
I’m not quoting johnny cash
This life is real
Don’t step in the ring
Unless you are ready for the fight
I am the journey man
but the journey is far
from over
© Kami 2018