The Champion
Today I saw him run,
With spirit firm and body straight,
To see the pack spread on the track,
To see the pack spread on the track,
And there beside his teammates
Moved he near to lend his strength.
With pace restrained he spoke the words
To motivate, to lift their spirits and desire.
The head, to lead, has been his crown,
But today, his was to lend a hand,
To lift the others to their best . . .
Until the seventh lap,
Then away, with normal stride,
Outpacing all the rest, he took the lead,
Never to rescind again, the distance spread.
He lapped with ease those of lesser stride
And broke the ribbon at the line -- the winner.
But being first was not his greatness shown that hour.
It was his gentleness and love for those
Whose limbs are gaining strength,
To follow in his stead.
Today, I saw my son, a Champion!
Rodger S. Gunn
May 6, 1977
Written after watching his son David run in a race