Young Ed Poem by Francis Duggan

He says I will be famous I will win Olympic Gold
And the story of my greatness in book and film will be told
A miracle will happen for me though miracles are rare
I will run as fast as a speeding car with the wind tossing my hair.

Young Ed is only thirteen his strength is ebbing fast
His doctor says his time near up he doesn't have long to last
Yet Ed believes in miracles he thinks of years ahead
Though in a month or even less he surely will be dead.

The cancer in him spreading eating his life away
Like the roses of late Summer quickest to meet decay
Morphine in heavy doses keeping his pain at bay
Soon with the dear departed he will forever lay.

But one thing about young Ed he won't go without a fight
In the Olympic Stadium in the warm sunlight
He fancy he can hear the crowd willing him on as he race into first place
With the beaming smile of glory in his young and happy face.