Confessions of a Born Spectator
One infant grows up and becomes a jockey,
Another plays basketball or hockey,
This one the prize ring hates to enter
That one becomes a tackle or center,
I am just glad as glad can be
That I am not them, that they are not me.
With all my heart I do admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire,
Who take the field in gaudy pomp,
And maim each other as they romp,
My limp and bashful spirit feeds
On other people’s heroic deeds.
Now A runs ninety yards to score,
B knocks the champion to the floor,
Cracking vertebrae and spines,
Lashes his steed across the line,
You’d think my ego it would please
To swap positions with one of these.
Well, ego it might be pleased enough,
But zealous athletes play so rough
They do not ever in their dealings
Consider one another’s feelings.
I’m glad that when my struggle begins
‘Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins.
When swollen eye meets gnarled fist
When snaps the knee, and cracks the wrist,
When officialdom demands,
Is there a doctor in the stands?
My soul in true thanksgiving speaks
For this modest of physiques.
"Athletes, I’ll drink to you
Or eat with you,
Or anything except compete with you,
Buy tickets worth their radium,
To watch you gambol in the stadium,
And reassure myself anew
That you are not me and I’m not you".
- Ogden Nash
Explanation
In the poem 'Confessions of a Born
Spectator', Ogden Nash talks about how
people choose different sports in their
lives or decide to become athletes. While
admiring the talents of athletes and
sportsmen, the poet confesses
that he is glad that he is neither a
sportsman nor an athlete. Children have
different aims and wish to
play various games. Each child has in
mind something in particular, but the
narrator is satisfied that he is not
one of the players. Though the narrator
admires the talents of all
athletes, he derives satisfaction from
watching them, but does not wish to
exchange places with them. He also
sometimes regrets that zealous
athletes play rough games without caring
for the feelings of their sporting rivals.
He feels that good sense and caution win
over ego. The narrator wholeheartedly
offers thanks, given the modest
physiques of athletes. Ultimately
the narrator is glad that he
himself is not an athlete.
jockey – horse rider
prize ring – enclosed area in which boxing matches are fought
tackle – approach
gaudy pomp – showy dress
maim – injure
romp – play in a rough and noisy way
limp – weak
bashful – shy and reluctant
lashes – beats with a whip
steed – a large, strong horse
swap – exchange
zealous – enthusiastic
prudence – wisdom
gnarled – rough and twisted
physique – body
drink to you – drink to wish good luck or celebrate success
gambol – run or jump happily
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i like this meaningful poem
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing meaningful in this poem. The words come from a place of victimhood, where the poet feels that the athletes losing or getting injured are actually the victims of a soul less and feeling less system of competitive sport. What he is failing to see that even outside the arena, within our own psyche, everyday, we make decisions like an athlete.
DeleteWe are presented with situations where we have to be brave, act with courage, act in a swift or timely manner, prioritize our family, our teams, our society, and ourselves before we make our next move. These mental battles can sometimes get us down on the ground, but we aim for the highest and the most noble good that we can go and get back up on our feet. This is the battle that shapes us, that helps us evolve. It's easy being a spectator, you don't have to make any decisions, you don't have to take any responsibilities as there are no actions so no consequences. You know who else has an existence like that? A dead body. So if you are alive, then you are participating, and if you are participating then it is your duty to perform to the best of your abilities and live up to your potential.
This was always my position, and to a large extent it still is. Like everything else it is based on trepidation and fear. But in life you will also come across a more adventurous, bold, daring, gallant and chivalrous type who maintain, it is better to have truly or falsely loved and to have lost than never to have loved at all, it is far better to have truly or falsely tried and to have failed than never to have tried at all. At least you will come to know.These are conflicting opinions, not to mention attitudes to life.
ReplyDeleteV.Jeeva
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