never was

— By Michael Jerry Tupa

     I never dunked a basketball,
never heard a coach’s call,
never felt a high five’s sting,
I never felt anything —

that’s because
I am the greatest champion
who never was.

     I never ran a kickoff back,
never made a quarterback sack.
never heard the crowd’s roar,
never gave a ref what-for —

that’s because
I am the greatest champion
who never was.

     I never found a great cure,
never thrilled at the grandeur
of a flaming orange sunset,
or sang badly in a duet —
 
that’s because
I am the greatest champion
who never was.
 
Don’t they know I had one shot,
to avoid being a have-not,
I could have changed the world,
but, my flag was never unfurled  —

that’s because
they don’t know
I am the greatest champion
who never was.