Olympics

There is one common universal language:
Competition.
Not all compete,
But all comprehend
Athletes may not speak the same language,
But they understand a touch of the hand:
The one before the event
To wish good luck--
Minds around the same things bent
Trying to be unstuck
Before the race.
Though they themselves and opponents face.
They all know the athlete's life,
Always striving for faster pace.

Even spectators together can sit,
Cheering but knowing their neighbor's mind;
Similarity they unexpected find.
There's nations pride,
The hope, the want,
The awe at ability
That all desire, but few have sought.
The silence while watching,
The craning of the neck,
The reverent observance
At human's ability to perfect
Physical performance.

Everything falls away.
For only a few days,
All rejoice and cheer
And sing athlete's praise.
Occasionally, even some find
They for other nations cheer;
It's not national spirit
But acknowledgement of greatness that rears
Brotherhood,
Comradery,
Peace.