Poem November 7, 1953 Issue

ATHLETE

Benjamin Sturgis Pray

With skill and form and flexile-functioned line
Flung on our sight, he dares us to excel.
To emulate his ardent, deft design.
To make of thought or act a stroke played well,
To govern conduct like a golfer's game.
To rally business with a tennis verve,
for home, for school, for conference to claim
The batter's timing or the rower's curve.

But far above the sportsmanship of youth.
Man must be poised in Mind's forever-prime
To fling the candid strategy of truth.
To vault the measured barriers of time.
To see, for each imperative advance,
God's power prepare each stroke from perfect stance.

Benjamin Sturgis Pray

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