Poetry Olympics at Paper Poetry

Success at Poetry

Never a game

Emily Dickinson takes the gold at Poetry Olympics — author created in NightCafe added text in Canva

Success is counted sweetest

By Emily Dickinson

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.

Not one of all the purple Host
Who took the Flag today
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory

As he defeated — dying –
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!

Who says they are just games?
A test of endurance, stamina, and grit
The will to return to face defeat again
Accepting the experience and all
Some never taste success
In their entire lifetime — a truth
They never play games — another truth
Of course, the one who scored a win played well
Some fear the nonstop fun-seeking
Lurking in the shadows of success
Not obvious due to impaired vision
Some are skilled but crack under pressure
Some pile in debt, struggle their entire lives
To dust off the defeat, pick themselves
Sow hope to witness the blooms
Only to find it may be way too late
Retiring athletes pursue a purpose
For those who always had a purpose
Are never desperate or discouraged
None are losers at the Olympics
A grand achievement, being an Olympian
Some don’t want to watch the losers
And then some comfort the losers
Great…