I have mourned

I have mourned the Georgian athlete
whose life ended in a fasterthanbreath collision.
They ran a story that day that spoke of genetics
of risk-takers, born for adventure, their lives
a tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon.
Who are They? And what right do they have
to toss him into a chasm of statistics?

I have mourned the Georgian athlete.
He has a mother, a father; probably
brothers and sisters. The darling of his family,
hero of his neighborhood, success story of his
town, name known throughout his country.
He was young, so hard-working, dedicated,
placing his life in the hands of a Committee.

I have mourned the Georgian athlete.
My eldest son is 8 now. You know him, he has no fear.
He has a mother and father, a brother; he seeks adventure
and the adulation of others. He makes mistakes,
falls a lot, scrapes his knees. He trusts everyone.
I have mourned the Georgian athlete
and I will never forget him, for what he did
he did for us. He did for me.

lgb
2/19/10