So much has been said
about this Olympic champion,
this survivor of a difficult childhood,
given up,
placed in foster care,
adopted by grandparents,
discovered in gymnastics,
abused by her doctor,
yet overcoming,
becoming the best in the world,
able to flip, fly, tumble, twist, dance, balance, jump, and land
better than anyone ever has,
ever will, some say,
but wholly human
in the places
the world couldn’t see,
her inner voice, inner trials, inner pain,
became louder, more persistent,
insistent she take a break,
even when the stakes were so high,
on a world stage where mistakes
are analyzed, scrutinized, judged,
taken to the court of public opinion,
even then, she held her ground,
stuck her personal landing,
by being true
to what she knew she could do,
and what she could not,
nothing more should be said
except bravo, dear Simone.
Just Poetry and Prose 
True words, every one. May she rise above this latest challenge – one of so many she has already faced and overcome.
Maureen, I was happy to see her finish the Olympics with a smile on her face and a Bronze Medal around her neck. She will forever be a champion through her words and actions.
Bravo, Poet! A loving tribute to Simone and her great gift of courage and truth-telling, in addition to her beyond human talents and strengths. I wish she could read your words, though surely she feels them.
Thank you, Judy. She is superhuman but also entirely human. Her willingness to tell her truths will forever inspire us.