STARLING (Élégie pour Simone)

Oh starling fire
the wind is hers
each time she takes the stage
a world enthralled
views artist skill
with ballerina’s grace

Her floor routine
with grand jeté
is beauty to behold
thru vault and bars
or balance beam
her dominance unfolds

And once again
Olympic throngs
came back to see her shine
but starling sensed
a twistie mind
was fighting her this time

This precious bird
once foster child
abused in doctor’s care
could never know
the undertow
of damage nested there

Twas strength and will
that carried her
in every test throughout
but broken trust
kept creeping in
to feed the waves of doubt

so when she heard
the cheering crowd
this champion was torn
her teammates strong
her head in flames
her choice was stepping down

Some believe
she quit her team
no courage to be told
while others feel
the issues here
are deeper than we know

No matter where
opinion rests
let kindness rule debate
and try our best
to understand
when mental health’s at stake

A poem by Greg Nelson
© 2021 by Poppie’s Hallel
(BMI. Admin. by Amplified Administration)