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The Pusillanimous Pugilist There is no calling for a pusillanimous pugilist. The world is already full of those who bow, who pursue activities for which they are poorly suited, under the flying banner of cowardice. I should know. Although the pusillanimous pugilist maintains a defensive posture, he is beaten mercilessly. The flesh around the eye socket darkens and swells. Blood coagulates at a gash in his lip, tasting of iron. There can be no mistake; he deserves this beating, and worse, for it is only in this punishment that he gives shape to his lack of understanding, his misplaced role, his sole redeeming feature--a vulnerable gesture of indomitable defiance, in which he is unrewarded for his obstinacy, except by this act of will, which cries, "I persisted, though I saw, early on, that I had erred in judgment, for in the flurry of blows I proved unable to detect a means of escape." |
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The Pusillanimous Pugilist David Keffer Knoxville, TN July 22, 2014 |