Frank E Gibbard Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay as was hailed from humble home but shed the cloak of former humility when on his head he wore both the laurel of Olympic champion and the whole world he then bestrode so grandly. His people had been cruelly humbled enslaved, abused and laid so low, yet every blow he made upon a foe raised him that higher, less humbled; humbling bums, beating ex-criminals ex-champs, boxing cleverly, quipping, lip unzipping making chumps of solid lumps. For in the world of one-worded he the many-syballic was king, prized for wit even aiming funny poetry jabs, ho ho blows, to go with his vocal stabs. Self-named, I am he said: "The Greatest" a great like Alexander, Ali was the latest conqueror of lessers by his heavy hand man of his faith though who never bumbled as Lennon did in fatal misunderstood claim to fame beyond Jesus. It's plain as rain he's famed as any human could be, hard then to expect in him an undue grain of humility. His country tried to humiliate him in jail as he wouldn't make war on Vietnam but would fail to down the heavyweight; they took his crown but did not diminish his due renown, majestically rethroned on the title that he owned, rightly proud winning a prized fight, yet more lionised. If in happy happenstance I was by chance into this great man's presence to stumble I would so gladly extend my humble hand and shake his no doubt shaky one and I'd like so many before me, certainly crumble. Viewed again by many millions via TV so recently ill as he is a crowd cheered (pre-Olympic rumbles). Unsteady yet still proud and unbowed was Ali's head, hit by disease but the great fighter's will is unhumbled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyv Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 What a tribute, Frank! A remarkably fluid read. When I saw it, I thought what a long poem for the subject. But it kept me reading, wondering what would come next and how you wrap it up. My conclusion -- it's not too long, not too short; it's just right. Tony Quote Here is a link to an index of my works on this site: tonyv's Member Archive topic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank E Gibbard Posted September 4, 2012 Author Share Posted September 4, 2012 Thanks so much Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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