Shadow Boxing in Space: Jungian Pugilism

Where there is no
Source of light,
There are no shadows -
A world free of
All but retired
Shadow boxers
Who sparred
With and at
The spots blocked
By their own bodies
From a bulb
Or the Sun.
A shadow can remain,
I suppose,
In the mind.
Shadow boxing
With a memory
Is never fully
Out of the
Question.

Even in brightness,
Only self-injury
Is possible.
No one hits back.
In fact,
No one hits at all.
Going through
The motions
Of primitive pugilism,
Never making contact
With anything but
Imagination
And the inner tension
Of One's own muscles
Restraining themselves
From slamming into
An inanimate
Object
Wearing the shadow's
Cast.

Shadow boxing
For practice
Before entering the
Squared circle
Or any arena of life
Where physical, verbal,
Emotional or intellectual
Fisticuffs
Are expected to be
Called for.
A flower without color
Or aroma.
A plate sans food.
A fight
Sans opponent.
An opaque battle
With ourselves.
Shadow boxing.
Rarely is there blood
To clean up -
Only perception
And self-esteem
To be showered off
Or laundered.

Training for combat,
No matter how
Seemingly benign,
Can never be
Completely
Risk free.
Shadows
Can and do
Hit back.
The shadow
Can do a lor more
Than simply
Lurk.