Tribute to a Champion

For a friend

 

Tribute to a Champion

 

Strong as most young men tend to be

In will, in body and in spirit.

A boy growing into, but not yet into a man.

Enthusiastic about life

And taking it all on in full stride.

 

An artist in the most true sense,

Chose Karate as his paint

And the Dojang as his canvas

And colored it he did with a fierce burning desire

To be the very best.

 

Many trials he faced and foes opposed

Most stood defeated in his battles won.

And from all he faced

Came the same reply,

He gave his best at every test.

 

Inspired himself instilled in others

Powerful and encouraging

Never second in spirit, always striving to be better

And others upon his shoulders he would take higher along

As he better himself and made better his world

 

Now departed his canvas

His spirit left behind

Why we will not know

Only this one fact

That the world just lost

One true Champion

 

And although now his body has died,

And that just short of manhood

His Spirit lives on,

For he instilled in all who knew him

The true “Eye of the Tiger.”

 

Now Thank You Shane

For being our friend

And more than thanks for all you were

We bow for respect and bow as you leave

For once we will meet when our lives have passed

 

Pete Love, October 17, 1988

Reviews

[Just Plain Me]

This is a beautiful poem for a friend. Great job :] and thanks for entering my contest

Oh, but in the second stanza I think you meant "To be the very best" but you put "To be the very vest." Just thought you might want to know :]

[Deborah Leah Krempa]

A most wonderful tribute. A beautifully written poem. Thank you for sharing. Debileah

[thecoolone52]

Good tribute... i love the eye of the tiger song