Go For The Wand

With the tragic events at the Kentucky Derby yesterday I feel moved to repost something I wrote 18 years ago. You may remember the horse and race this relates to. I will never forget watching it unfold on TV and at the time it moved me to tears and emotions that often stir up the creative side of me. Rest in peace Eight Belles, I'm sure you're running in fields of green with Go for the Wand and all the other majestic horses that touch us in our lifetime. Happy Hoof Beats and give a snort and nudge to the Big Guy for us.

Go For The Wand
Breeders Cup Distaff 1990

The spirit of sport was broken today
In all her glory she stumbled and fell.
What separates ambition and ability,
Is often a thread to fragile to tell.

With a heart so big, and a will so great
The spirit of sport offers victory as well as tragedy.
What makes athletes do what they do?
Is it instinct, training, or the want to win,
Is it fear, pressure, or greed and glory?

For the greatest it isn’t any of the above
But it is the heart and the want to make others happy.
To see their faces share in the victory
To feel that aura of overwhelming pride
To know that all the work, has higher rewards.

Surely the great ones have a different approach
A personality all their own, for all to admire
This is what separates ambition from ability.
Yes the spirit of sport was broken today
But with a heart so big, and a will so great
She got up and crossed the finish line one last time.

What would she say , if only she could?
I can’t help but feel it would be,
“Go for the true spirit of sport “
Go For The Wand.

© Bryan Stross 1990