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Jim Thorpe
| Open Poetry #41 |
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Jim Thorpe |
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Abe Senior Member
since 2003-05-28
Posts 694Looks like Vero Beach, FL until the end! 
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Jacobus (Jim) Franciscus Thorpe 1888-1953 Born in May of Eighteen eighty-eight Though the birth record is obscure In Oklahoma, in a one room cabin With brother Charlie, of that we're sure. His father, Hiram, was a farmer Mother, Mary James, a Pottawatomie Descendant of the Chief, Black Hawk A Warrior with an athletic history. His Indian name of Wa-Tho-Huk Translated meaning of “Bright Path” As his future really seemed to be Before the typical white man's wrath. His twin brother passed away at nine Then in the year, Nineteen, ought four He attended the Carlisle Indian School Where he learned football, track, and more. Trained by legend, Glenn “Pop” Warner Who had the unique insight to see The young phenomenon evolving Into, the great athlete, he would be. All-American in Nineteen 0-nine And soon, on the Olympic Team Sailing across the sea to Sweden The answer to many-a-youngster's dream. He trained on board on the journey And he must have done it very well For he blew away his competitors That's what, long lasting records tell. In the Pentathlon and Decathlon He won a Gold Medal in each And it seemed any goal he went for For him, would be an easy reach. Gustav, the King of Sweden said it best After the Nineteen twelve Olympics “Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world.” After witnessing, Thorpe's sporting epics. And, not one to stand on ceremony That sometimes, great success can bring He answered, honestly and simply As they shook hands, and said, “Thanks, King.” But, it came out after the Olympics He'd played some semi-pro baseball They said his medals were illegal And the Committee issued a recall. His name was removed from the records And his Gold Medals taken away But, with style he just moved on To play the games he loved to play. He signed with the New York Giants And played with the Reds in Cincinnati Ending up with the Boston Braves On his baseball playing odyssey. At the same time he played football For teams like Canton, Cleveland, and Chicago Helped form what is now, the NFL Which a lot of folks probably don't know. He worked for awhile in the movies As boss of the Chicago Park System Involved in matters of Indian Affairs A song and dance troupe named after him. He was named, “the greatest football player” By the Associated Press in Nineteen fifty And, “the greatest overall male athlete” One of the best that we will ever see. In Fifty-three he had a heart attack And on the New York Times front page They said we'd lost, “a marvelous performer” From this world's sporting stage. But he was so much more than that With his dignity and quiet grace One of those very special people Who have made this world a better place. He was subjected to the racism That, “Indian athlete” and “Redskin” And it eventually took it's toll Lead to poverty and alcoholism. Thirty years after his passing His Olympic Medals were finally restored Along with many posthumous honors Much too late, for his just reward. He's just another great American Born of the Natives of this land Who never knew and/or never saw Real American freedoms, take a stand. 09.28.2007 Kinda proud of this > Thanks for the poem. We are in the process of renovating a building to be the home of the Jim Thorpe Memorial Museum and we will certainly find a place for your fine work on Jim Thorpe. Lynne Draper Jim Thorpe Association http://www.jimthorpeassoc.org/ Del "Abe" Jones Mankind's greatest accomplishment is not the revolution of technology, it is the evolution of creativity. [This message has been edited by Abe (10-06-2007 04:17 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2007 Del - All Rights Reserved | |||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Abe~ You ALWAYS *gift* us with such wonderful tributes~ Thanks for this~ *Huglets*  ~*Marge*~ ~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~ |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Enjoyed reading this...James |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
Being quite fond of the town Jim Thorpe, PA... this 'write' especially caught my immediate attention!...it was well worth the 'read'!! excellent and informative tribute with a quite 'important' social message contained within! serious, sustained applause!! |
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