T he contest lasts for moments
though the training has taken years;

it wasn't the winning alone that
was worth the work and tears.
The applause will be forgotten
and the prize will be misplaced.
But the long hard hours of practice
will never be a waste.
For in trying to win
you build a skill;
you learn that winning
depends on will.
You never grow by how much you win,
you only grow by how much you put in.
So for any new challenge
you've just begun,
put forth your best
and you've already won.

W.A. Clennan