Gift of the Greeks

Every four years, the world comes to play.  
A pagan ritual on a bright summer's day.  

Casting their rancor and hatred aside,
To run for the glory--stride by stride.  

For most, it's not winning that brings them here.
It's a sense of belonging and the crowd's great cheer.  
The Greeks gave us government, the arts, and science.  
The zealots reject these gifts in their selfish defiance.

And so the world wars on, with no end in sight.  
Athletes for country try with all their might.  

And find a new unity to stand side by side.  
Sharing their medals with infinite pride.  

Copyright 2004 © Ronald W. Hull