Recent Songs: Shadow Boxer

Shadow Boxer


Elli was a shadow boxer
Back when I used to call her mine
The ring was always empty
But it weren’t for lack of trying
The wall that was in front of her
Was everything she swore she’d put behind
Like a dog chasing its tail, sweet Elli
You turned your hunger, set to eat yourself alive

Shadow boxer, still learning how to fight
With your mind off the corner and your heart under light
Shadow boxer, still not sure what you fight
Dancing like a single candle in the town square at night
Holding this vigil
For joy and for spite

I once saw you fight the ocean
For twelve hard rounds it never fell
Chaffed and weary you collapsed upon the beach
For so much distance you’d covered little ground
The wall that is in front of you
It’s the horizon you’re too afraid to reach
You turn to me and say, well what about you?
I say, for those who can’t, babe, they teach

Shadow boxer, still learning how to fight
With your mind off the corner and your heart under light
Shadow boxer, still not sure what you fight
Dancing like a single candle in the town square at night
Shadow boxer, still learning how to fight
With your mind off the corner and your heart under light
Shadow boxer, still not sure what you fight
Dancing like a single candle in the town square at night
Holding this vigil
For joy and for spite


May 22, 2016