The Former Champion

It is obvious that time it has become his foe
The one admired by many in the long ago
In his prime the champion athlete of the town
His fame it transcended local renown

Three times the National fifteen hundred metres champion athlete
In his prime he was one who was quick on his feet
But a stroke in his late sixties has left him walking slow
Of happier and far better times he did know

A great grandfather in his late seventies divorced from his wife
Nowadays she has a younger man in her life
With reluctance he talks of the fame he has known
In his late seventies he lives on his own

If you inspire him to talk of the past
He says does it matter now if he once could run fast
If in victory he did feel happy and proud
When he was applauded by the adoring crowd

Stooped balding and grey haired not the man he used to be
In the park he is one that i sometimes does see
Walking slowly with the aid of a walking cane
That time slows the fastest and fittest the fact does remain.