Gladiators of Peace
To breath the dream of gladiator sweat
Is to take your fear and drown it with courage.
Though heart it would burst,
the mind cannot turn.
The gold is the prize
and destiny belongs to you.
To be the best is not enough
chivalry demands your conduct
and honour is given to the vanquished
for you are an Olympian.
The body is your temple
desire is your ambition.
The lungs that carry this quest,
that Olympus gave the world
will make you a god for a day.
The recipe is simple,
take the glory of youth
these first buds of spring.
Season their first step with a lesson
defeat is your companion,
but “I will” is your power
and the hurdles of life will fall.
Mind over body is your strength
perfection and grace your goal,
only gods ignore the pain when limbs say enough.
You who pour your being into peddle and water
and tame the wind with sail.
The loneliness of speed, the endurance of marathon
the silence of target and the release of flight
will take your soul to the edge
of an impossible dream.
And the years that you give
waiting for harmony to arrive,
will define the mountain you climb.
The world has chosen you
to be a gladiator of our time.
And privilege is for mortals who watch
to share the emotion of them.
In this moment our blood is one
for they are no longer alone.
We will win together
we will lose together
and honour will wipe our tears.
And when the arena is empty
the memory will be
“I was there”
To see the spirit of this earth.
The voice of nations cheering as one
our differences celebrated
Within the glory of these Olympics.
Strangers brought together
arm in arm within these rings.
The hand of friendship has crossed the seas,
respect is the legacy
for Neighbours now are we.
And when our children look up
to ask why we cheer and cry
we will plant the dream,
that these are your brothers and sisters,
tomorrow you will play with them.
And should you fall
the voice of country will pick you up
this flag will endure your trials
for victory belongs to you,
and the tears of pride belong to me.
A mere mortal who was honoured
to witness your Olympian dream.
Copyright © Steven Cooke | Year Posted 2012
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