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When a Hero Stumbles

Out of the ether once came a small child
who hoped to one day fly thru the air.
Diligently applying herself, learning a style,
performing higher leaps, tapping the rare.

She performed somersaults, all in her stride,
with greater and more intelligent ease.
Winning honors and gold medals worldwide,
winning hearts with technical expertise

She became the world's new daring upstart
"sensational, uncanny, never fails,"
They didn't care that she led with her heart
and began to believe all of the tales.

As heroes may do, she took a misstep
and stumbled as the world was looking on.
the fault came not because she was inept,
the world on her shoulders became too strong.

A lesson to be learned: tho brave they are
some athletes just barely more than a child.
We expect all heroes to be bright stars
so we can foster their dreams for a while.

We forget they're human, just as we are
with mightier longings and goals, perhaps.
We must forgive occasional dimmed stars,
help them stand if they sometimes collapse.

Copyright © Ann Peck | Year Posted 2021

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Barbara Peckham Date: 8/13/2021 7:30:00 PM This applies not only to sports but any field of endeavor. It does make me think of the latest Olympics and the troubles of Simone Biles. There was immediate criticism of her that was unwarranted. Thank you for this extremely well-written poem with its important message. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/14/2021 7:35:00 AM thank you for your comments, Barbara. I actually wrote it about Simone, but they are all under so much pressure, and so young. And it does apply to any field of endeavor. We should all strive to be our best. I appreciate your thoughts!

Tony Hargreaves Date: 8/6/2021 1:04:00 PM Enjoyed your poem. Iambic pent. Quatrains abab, cdcd etc. It reads well and looks good on the page. And the subject - are you a gymnast/athlete by any chance? Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/6/2021 2:24:00 PM No, but I've always loved to watch the gymnasts - they are so brave, their moves so beautiful. When they lose track of where they are in space, it must be terrifying. My athletics were Jazzercise and now walking :)

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 8/4/2021 11:52:00 AM I love your altruistic stories of truth and love, a nice one Ann. Continue to bless us, xo Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/6/2021 2:30:00 PM Oh, how sweet of you Mystic Rose. I'm actually getting very disillusioned with my writing and am looking for some online poetry classes. My major was business :)

Jennifer Fenn Date: 7/31/2021 5:21:00 PM So true Ann! If the world didn’t expect us all to be perfect, we all would be much happier. This is so timely. Simone Biles should read this. It will show her that we love her for her, not just for her talents. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 8/1/2021 4:20:00 PM That's the truth. I don't know how athletes can handle all the pressure. Thanks so much for commenting, Jennifer :)

Gordon Mcconnell Date: 7/29/2021 1:29:00 PM An excellent piece Ann, excellent penning telling well the fall of a star though only the star knows what's goes on inside. Blessings, Gordon Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 7/30/2021 7:50:00 AM Thank you, Gordon, for stopping by. I'm actually torn about what to believe. Telling, I think, is when Simone replied, when asked what she enjoyed most, "my time off." A huge amount of pressure on small shoulders.

Rico Leffanta Date: 7/29/2021 11:49:00 AM Enjoyed, but perhaps the most apt comment was that Simone thrives on crowd support, which meant more to her than a gold medal, and without the support she worked so hard to earn, she crumbled. The value of gold was diminished! Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 7/29/2021 1:04:00 PM Ann Peck Date: 7/29/2021 1:03:00 PM I tend to think you're right. She says she lost where her body was in space, pretty common apparently for gymnasts. Maybe it was just all too much when she discovered she is human.

Harry Horsman Date: 7/28/2021 4:44:00 PM Wow, This is brilliant, yes stress the byword of the modern age, and how part of the establishment as become so rich on it, as almost it seems planned from the very beginning. I remember back in the 80'2 being told at one of the works concept courses, some will fall on the way to an achievement, being for the under dog all my life, i could never agree with that. Your poem takes me there Ann, very clever and subtle. A Fav. Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 7/29/2021 8:45:00 AM actually, I wasn't meaning that, but in rereading, I see the stanza where it does hint at what you said. I removed that stanza. Thanks for pointing it out! And, I do think they are very controlled. Ann Peck Date: 7/28/2021 5:46:00 PM Thanks for commenting, Harry. I just read that she was unable to tell where she was in the air. that could be dangerous.

Tom Cunningham Date: 7/28/2021 2:33:00 PM It seems the pressure of being in the limelight and trying to live up to peoples expectations got the better of her, such a shame, maybe with some time out she'll bounce back stronger. Well written Ann. Tom Login to Reply Ann Peck Date: 7/28/2021 5:49:00 PM I just read on my phone that Simone has "the twisties," which is where they lose track of where they are in the air. Could be dangerous. I think, like you, she became overwhelmed by publicity and pressure. Thanks, Tom.