You Have Heart

They thought you would quit
if they withheld the prize
benched you
put your pride on the line
and upped the pressure

They thought you would walk away
give up the dream
deny that deep down you loved it
always wanted it
knew you could do it but
would refuse to walk the path less travelled

They didn't know
you have heart.

There are other reasons, justifications
for riding that oak
new friendships formed
other relationships tested, jealousies revealed
different character traits built
different leadership skills acquired
you know you have the talent
the athleticism
possess what it takes
but you observed a different hunger
a pure decision to carry a team
striving to win in the face of no hope
striving to succeed when everyone else had quit
and it affected you
touched you
taught you

They made you polish that pine
Others ambitions
tried to determine your path
use you for what would best benefit them
unfairly denying you
a true chance, a real opportunity
the fix was in over a year ago
when one jersey short
meant you were the one man out
and parent's political connections
were not strong enough
to make a difference

but, what they didn't know
is that you have heart
are better for the experience
have benefited, despite it all

Your spirit of perseverance.
What they can't destroy.
You have heart.