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Confessions of a Born Spectator by Ogden Nash

Poetry Speaks

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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Comments

  1. Unknown9/14/2020 7:19 pm

    i like this meaningful poem

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9/21/2020 2:23 am

      There 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.

      We 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.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous9/29/2022 7:31 am

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7/25/2023 7:23 pm

    V.Jeeva

    ReplyDelete

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