SHADOW BOXING, SE MOER

Joe was a shadow boxer. He fucked them up good and proper. His best combo was a jab to the chin followed by a jab to the nose followed by a heavy right straight into the gut. Ever seen a shadow puke? It’s not pretty. And if the shadows weren't careful or wise to it, and the ref wasn't looking, Joe might even plant one in the nuts. POW! Shadows wouldn't get up after that. They’d just lie there in a heap, waiting for the lights to dim, Joe acting all innocent with his arms raised. No shadow could outgun him.

‘Gung-ho’ the press called him. Not surprising.

Shadows called him ‘the darkness’.

Until the day he saw his own shadow. And things turned bad.

It was bright and sunny. Joe was standing by a wall when he spotted a silhouette. He squared up to it.
“Why you following me, shadow?” he said in a gruff voice.
His shadow said nothing.
“Not talking is it?” he muttered. “Well, isn't that just like a shadow.”
Nothing.
Joe assumed his best fighting stance. His shadow did the same.
“So you wanna fight,” smirked Joe. “You obviously haven’t heard of me.”
Joe flipped a couple of air shots. His shadow did the same. Joe got angry.
“You think you funny, mister, pulling my own moves on me. I’m going to knock your block off.”
Since there was no ref Joe decided on the money shot straight away. He faked a left and sent the right square into the shadow’s scrotum.

His eyes nearly fell out his head as his own ball bag exploded. Joe dropped instantly. His nuts felt like they were on fire. He tried to focus. Through watery eyes he saw his shadow in a heap next to him. At least he got in a good shot too. Now to finish the job. Joe sucked in a couple of deep breaths. He clutched at his bollocks and swore silently. He got his knees. He pulled himself painfully to his feet. And then he saw his shadow doing the same.
“You cheeky bastard,” he yelled and swung with all his might.

Joe felt his teeth rattle as a punch smashed onto his chin. Once again he was on the floor. Tasting blood, Joe propped himself up on his elbow. His shadow did the same. They stared at one another. Finally Joe spoke.
“So we fight,” he said, “to the death”.
And that’s how it’s been for the rest of Joe’s life.

And isn't that the problem for so many people. So locked in a battle with themselves they forget to just let themselves be. They forget to give themselves a break and, like Joe, just keep on beating themselves up for no apparent reason until one day they look in the mirror and see nothing more than a shadow of their former selves.