The Do Or Die Athlete

Born in the same hospital as Victory, A set record and enviable history; For the benefit of the Self- Deceived, With the gloves of the same midwife received And in case another tries to lead one astray, He from victory but a cot away! Both blokes the achievement of the same maternity, Between the two an infant-rooted fraternity. From the Do-or- Die Sprouts, staggering skill And from him a conqueror’s rare will Yet, from him also, the foulest rough play Besides terrible things one mustn’t say. After a defeat judged upsetting Starts a battle with cascading tears And for a performance ruled irritating Eyes as deadly as spears. The Do-or-Die Athlete could make The Alive The late Enough water for the blood-smeared hands of Pilate.