I WATCH YOU ON THE PODIUM

AND MY MIND GOES TO ANOTHER TIME

AND ANOTHER YOUNG MAN

WITH DREAMS IN HIS HEART.  

HE WAS A CHAMPION

BUT IN HIS MIND HE LOST THE FIGHT.

HE LEARNED AT A VERY EARLY AGE

TO SELF MEDICATE TO EASE THE PAINS

OF HIS YOUNG LIFE.

THE DRUGS AND THE BOOZE STOLE

HIS DREAMS

AND THE CHAMPION WITHIN LEFT HIM.

I WATCH YOU ON THE PODIUM

AND TEARS RUN DOWN MY CHEEK

KNOWING

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN HIM.

 Susan Bergron

March, 2010

Vancouver olympics