Cheaters

The world is filled with cheaters;
It almost seems the norm.
We hear of more examples found
In every shape and form:

A Scrabble competition where
A young man used his wiles
To sneak into the playing bag
Some extra blank-faced tiles.

Lance Armstrong, of the Tour de France,
Once honored and revered,
Now stripped of all his medals
With his reputation smeared.

Cabrera of the Giants, too,
Was doping and got caught.
It seems that sports, like politics,
With cheaters has been fraught.

We’re taught to do the honest thing
When we are in our youth;
But as we age, so many learn
That they can bend the truth.

When knocked down from a pedestal,
The former proud elite
May finally learn the price they’ll pay
For choosing ways to cheat.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Ramage Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Its actually nice to see that these cheaters are getting caught. My Dad use to say, what goes round, comes round... seems to be happening now. Well done. lee
Martin Avatar
August 28, 2012 at 11:44 AM
I may not be convinced that Lance was the doper he's been made out to be but then I'm a smuck for seeing and believing in the goodness of people instead of their dark side. That aside, the poem speaks volumes of truth that we've all known or felt at one time or another. Humans are born cheaters but most of us don't use it as our guiding light as so many others seem to be doing these days. I like what I see in the mirror and am quite sure that you do as well Ilene. Excellent poetry:)
Dietrich Avatar
August 24, 2012 at 8:43 PM
You TELL 'EM, my SOUP Bombeck!!! GREAT poem.
Kendrick Avatar
August 24, 2012 at 4:47 PM
Truth within your lines excells..Thanks for stopping by..Your comments were uplifting..Sara
Pritts Avatar
August 24, 2012 at 3:16 PM
You've put the truth in a nutshell on this subject. And I don't believe any reader can cast a stone that wouldn't hit their own foot. We've all done it at one time or another in our lives. We just don't like to admit it. Well done Ilene. Your rhyme and rhythym was great. But then again, you always deliver quality. Rockman
Pettit Avatar
August 24, 2012 at 1:09 PM
That's why Barry Bonds is not acknowledged as baseball's home run king. Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron never used steroids. Good write as usual Ilene.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace