THE FOUR BY ONE RELAY

I bet you don't remember.
Their names are lost in yore.
Most don't know they lived at all,
The girls that I adore.

Forgotten, I endeavor,
To put their names in rhyme.
So they shall be remembered
Forever, from this time.

It's not so hard recalling
The tears I shed that day,
As they swam against a tide
The Germans sent their way.

It wasn't fair to ask them
To do what they'd not done.
Swim their fastest times of all,
The same for every one.

So it was for each in turn
Against the steroid tide.
Each girl forced to walk the plank,
They had no place to hide.

Kim went first, then Wendy swam,
And each girl did her best.
Both girls swam their fastest time.
But still, they couldn't rest.

In went Jill, then Shirley too,
And both swam faster still.
All the girls gave all they had,
As champions always will.

So when the race was over,
The steroid time was there.
They broke their own world record
But really didn't care.

On the board for all to see,
A time I won't forget.
The U. S. girls amazed them,
A new world record set.

All cheered for Kim and Wendy,
Both Jill and Shirley too.
Those who swam their fastest times.
Their names, I list for you.

I don't think you'll forget them.
You can't just write them off.
It's Peyton, Boglioli,
And Sterkel, Babashoff.

When they stood on the platform,
I wonder how they felt?
The Gods of Mount Olympus,
Most surely must have knelt.

It's sad most have forgotten,
Much to our nation's shame;
The deed that they accomplished,
Much less each Damsel's name.

But now you know their story,
Though written long ago.
The Montreal Olympics,
The German's tainted show.

It makes it much more cherished,
The gold they won that day.
I wonder where they are now,
The four by one relay?


Greenwolfe 1962

THE GARBAGE MAN

Near the window Mary sits
And watches as he nears.
The man she's always waited for
Lo all these many years.

As he stops his truck again
And climbs down from his seat;
Once again, this man she loves,
She surely has to greet.

So she grabs her bag again,
The one she keeps inside.
Hurries out to meet her man
Just like a brand new bride.

I keep my window open
To hear what may be said.
What makes this bride endeavor
To leave her marriage bed?

She asks how he is 'doing? '
He says, he's 'doing fine.'
She tells him she is 'sorry.'
It's much the same ole line.

He says, 'it's good' to see her.
She says she looks 'a fright.'
He says she's 'always lovely
In any morning light.'

I look and see her smiling
Just like she used to do.
I wonder how much longer
A love can stay brand new?

He says he'll see her 'next time.'
She says she'll see him 'then.'
And touches him so gently
As he climbs up and in.

He has no time to linger
It's like this every time.
No meeting of two lovers
Was ever so sublime.

Then I saw it once again,
The look I'd seen before.
The one I wish she gave me
When I walked out the door.

I climb between the covers
And wait for her return.
Pretending is a habit
I've long since had to learn.

Then soon enough she enters,
So quiet and discreet.
And then I feel a tugging,
Her pull upon the sheet.

The bed so gently moving,
Asleep I'd take no note.
She's always been this careful
And does it now by rote.

It's then, when she is settled,
When lying by my side;
She always finds forgiveness
From me down deep inside.

She always moves right over,
Her body close to mine.
And then I hear her sighing,
A sound that's so divine.

Her arms then curl around me,
Her breath upon my neck,
Her hand upon my shoulder,
Her kiss, a gentle peck.

I wonder how much longer?
I guess no one can say.
Perhaps, through my endeavor
There'll be no final day.

If that's so, until the end
I'll do the best I can.
Thankful to be as I am;
Her true love's, garbage man.


Greenwolfe 1962