A Coach's guide to success!

You know it makes perfect sense...

Come hither, come hence, 

ye mentors and coaches fine

to hear my tale, 

philosophically sanguine

for if you have ambition, 

the ladder of success to climb

then it is in your interest my request, 

not to decline!

A most eminent scholar, 

once did opine

show me the boy, 

between seven years and nine

and I’ll show you the man, 

his party line

begin as you mean to go on, 

the inferred incline!

Now it is incumbent upon you, 

to take the time

and teach your underlings, 

never be supine

fight like a lion, 

that peerless feline

and if convinced, like a star, 

for you they will shine!

But before embarking on a voyage, 

destined to be divine

beware the perils of fame 

and gluttonous swine

who proffer much money, 

if for their club you'll sign 

for a wolf in sheep's clothing, 

is a loathsome lupine!

Keep your love for the game, 

wholesome and genuine

then no player under your wing, 

will have reason to whine

high moral integrity, 

gives none cause to repine

so keep these ideals in mind 

and your career will mature, like rare vintage wine!

Author's Note

Play for the love of the game, not the huge financial gains that often are associated with the trapping of success and counsel those likewise, should they ever fall under your tutelage!

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, a good player needs to love his sport, no doubt about it. Today's professional players have these astronomical salaries and demand more and more each year else they switch teams. Coaches of elementary and high school sports should definitely instill a love of the game in their players. I enjoyed the rhyming in this one, Tom. A little different from the usual for you. Lydi**

[Tom]

Yes indeed Lydia, as always you've grasped my poems raisin d'être and thank you for your always welcome visit!

[Lydia Shutter]

My pleasure.

[Sheila Kline]

An amazing explanation of doing that which one sets out to do with honor and integrity and the stupendous rhyming to accentuate the depth of the message is most impressive!! You are so wise to relay to us the important message of the positive consequences of doing all with high moral integrity!! Yes, yes, yes!!!

[Tom]

Yes indeed Sheila whatever we do, its worth doing right and thank you kindly for such a praiseworthy review!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

in any game we should play for the love of it...but that is so rare anymore...especially in baseball, basketball and football...it is so much about contracts.

well said...because a career built on love for the game will mature like rare vintage wine.

[Tom]

Exactly Jacob & thank you!

[BlackRose]

Love this piece and the great message behind it. You write so well. It should all be in the fun of playing and enjoying being out there to do so instead of all about the money and gains in the greedy way.

[Tom]

Thank you BlackRose, very kind of you to visit and comment so favourably !

[BlackRose]

Yes, your very welcome Tom.