Legends Never Die

“When you talk about perseverance, that is the true definition of it. Even when a superhero’s knocked down he’s still a superhero and Derrick Rose showed why he’s still a superhero.” - Lebron James

one play at a time

one day at a time

legends never give up

legends never stop trying

one broken down day at a time

one broken down play at a time

legends never ever quit

legends never surrender

when all seems to be lost

hard work is undefeated

when all seems to bet against you

hard work is inspiration

to the special ones

to the real ones

to the legends. . . 

where nothing is certain

to the superstars. . .

anything is possible

they are the epitome perseverance 

one struggle at a time

one failure at a time

when your world is all but broken

when no one's left to believe in you

to still never ever give up

to never ever stop believing 

in yourself and your game. . .

that's legendary perseverance

Author's Note

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Though the poem speaks of super heroes, I believe its greater value lies in what it says to the rest of us, those whose perseverance in the face of day to day frustrations and reverses will not be rewarded with recognition or financial remuneration. To be able to keep at it for the sheer honor of doing so is its own reward, whether anyone ever recognizes it or not.

[Davidgeo]

Kind of, but not really. Of course it's not literally about superheroes, I'm just not that kind of writer (and this is about a real person doing real things in the real world). But to say "keep at it (strictly) for the sheer honor" is not entirely correct either. We all do our best, some do it better than others, some try harder than others... but to say that trying is it's own reward is delusional. We all get pleasure from recognition, even the saints, even your god demands to be recognized... we all have a little vanity within us.

Thanks for taking the time to review me, I really do appreciate it.

[Scarlett]

I find this poem very inspirational, never give up, never surrender, find the strength inside yourself to overcome any obstacle. Really enjoyed it.

[RayLynn]

Very powerful message!
Great work!

[Davidgeo]

Thanks Ray.

[KWP]

I read this and felt you were speaking to me - so that's kinda perfect.

Your reply to John is very true to - we all have this stuff within us - in fact we have the whole universe within us, we are all made of this stuff we have it all. There are those who are aware of what you speak and those that are still sleeping on it.

That one line - anything is possible - yes - look at the planet we have created - good or bad - anything is possible - we should all choose wisely :)

[Davidgeo]

It's actually two lines split in half … "when nothing is certain / anything is possible"... an old wrestling coach used to say that to me all the time. He was too stupid to make it up on his own but I never looked into where he got it from.
None the less, I'm glad this poem could speak to you on a personal level... that's high praise to me.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

I don’t know if they are built better, spliced with a dash extra of premium DNA, giving them a starting advantage, so to speak and being so endowed, do they become so addicted to the superlatives that winning is as critical to them as the air they breathe? Is there a field of study for these bionic people, their minds? Would be great for future human engineering.

It's different for lesser mortals though, they have their limits of endurance, they do give up and run.
Thank you for the RR.

[Davidgeo]

Yes, they are built better than us... for sure a luckier roll of the DNA dice at conception. That's not the only thing though, lots and lots of physically gifted athletes don't maximize their potential... I would say more squander their gifts then not. For guys like Michael Jordan, it was a perfect storm of superior genetics, superior work ethic, a killer instinct and some great coaching/mentoring. He wasn't the GOAT purely based on his physical gifts, I'd say his mental toughness played a larger role. Then there's guys like Tom Brady whom, while still a gifted athlete, never was even close to the elite peers of his generation but because of his attitude towards winning and work ethic he surpassed every single one of them.

There is a field of study called sports psychology.... this is a pretty insightful short paper on that topic - www.elitetrack.com/article_files/sportpsych.pdf

Thanks for taking the time to write a thought provoking review... I do appreciate it.

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

Thank you for the link. You’re welcome.

[Dave]

I agree with John, the true heroes are those that, despite all the nay-sayers, struggle through and persevere. They manage to conquer the injustices heaped upon them. They are the ones that can convince a child that he or she is worth the extra effort you are providing so that they will make the effort to succeed for themselves.

[LazerRays]

This is like the national anthem for ancient Greek heroes. There's an epic tone to this; likes it's a rant your football coach gives you before the game to hype you up. Nice work here :D

[Davidgeo]

Yeah, something like that... much more Hector like than Achilles like.

[LazerRays]

Yeah. They both died. Except Achilles killed Hector. And dragged his body around for days until Odysseus yelled at him. Then Apollo shot Achilles in the heel with his arrow. The end.

[Davidgeo]

I'm aware of the story... most people are. What I was alluding to is that Hector is a more team orientated warrior while Achilles was a more individual orientated warrior. The poem applies to both of them to an extent, but at the end of the day it's about a basketball player overcoming and performing exceptionally so his team may win a game. And much like Hector, when it comes down to it - Derrick Rose will never play like that again. I doubt he finishes this season without catastrophic injury. Much like Hector... he will fall in "battle" for his team, not for glory.

[LazerRays]

Ah. I see...

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your swagger here is monumental...this is what I call an adrenaline rush! "To never ever give up, to never ever stop believing in yourself and in your game." THAT is perseverance, THAT is excellence, personified!

[Davidgeo]

Thanks Kelly, that's generously kind of you.

A basketball player who was once prodigously spectacular for my home team Bulls 8 years ago came back and had a legendary performance last night. He had been through so much bad luck and so many injuries that no one ever really thought he'd play like he once could ever again, but he certainly did last night. It was inspirational to watch one of the greatest talents to ever play show some of that spark after all he went through. From the youngest MVP in NBA history to a guy who could barely make the roster as the last man on the bench... it was kind of inspirational to see him show some of his old mojo.

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'm sure it was an exhilarating high for him as well!

[Davidgeo]

Ha... yeah, truly. Us regular humans will never know the highs and the lows those guys go through. Even if I had the talent I'd still be too lazy to take it to the heights that they do.