I’ve won another trophy,

It’s the first I’ve won in years,

And I know that it sounds silly,

But it’s brought me close to tears.

Because it’s been so very, very long,

Since I believed that I was good

Enough to enter challenges

And truly believe I could,

Stand a chance of winning it,

And be called the best there is,

I haven’t felt this confident,

Since I was just a kid.

Now here’s me winning trophies,

I never thought I would again,

Though it’s not trophies that I’m craving,

Please let me explain.

The trophy is just a trinket,

Made of plastic, wood or glass,

Intended for the moment,

It was never made to last.

But the pride that comes with winning,

That’s the high, yes that’s the rush,

Proof if needed that your skills

Have not yet turned to rust.

It proves you’re not a “Has Been”,

Or some-one that once could,

It proves that you’ve still got it,

And that your still bloody good,

And those wise old souls that tell you,

It’s not winning, but taking part that counts,

Are right, Oh yes, of course they’re right,

Winning’s not paramount.

But to the rest of us mere mortals,

That really want to win,

And believe that wanting victory,

Is not that much a sin,

It’s that feeling of accomplishment,

When you have stood the test,

Against the finest in your chosen sport,

And you have come out best.

Well friends, that’s my opinion,

It’s truly what I think,

OK it wasn’t the Olympics,

Just a game of Tiddlywinks.

(But I WON)

By S.E.Ralph

12-9-2021