Poetry

Two point four, hundred ‘n twelve,
Twenty six Miles onward
Along the banks of CdA
Swam the 2600
“Forward the Lean Brigade!"
“Toward Ironman!” he said:
Along the banks CdA
Swam the 2600

“Forward the Lean Brigade!”
Was there a one dismayed?
Not though the athletes knew
This day would continue:
Theirs not to make reply
They know the reason why
Theirs but to do and tri:
Along the banks of CdA
Ran the 2600

Sun shone above them,
The hard ground below them,
Hills rose a front of them,
Rising and rising;
Encouraged with yell and bell
Boldly they rode and well
Into the mountains of green
Along the path of Iron
Rode the 2600

Flashed all their muscles bare
Flashed as they turned in air
Cranking pedals there
Charging a mountain while
All the world wonders
Plunged in the heat and sweat
Right over the hill they broke
Men and Women
Reeled from steep grade
Shattered and sundered
Then they rode back, but not
Not the 2600

Sun shown above them
The hard ground below them,
Hills rose a front them
Rising and rising;
Beaten by pain and thirst,
Though Heroes all some fell
That they had fought so well
Came through the mount of green
Back from the path of Iron
All that was left of them
Left of the 2600

When can their glory fade?
O the valiant effort they made!
All the world wonders,
Honor the charge they made!
Honor the Lean Brigade
Worthy 2600!

Of course, this is adapted from the Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson written in 1854 about the Battle of Balaclava. Greyhound is credited for stirring up my "creative" juices in his poetry contest. Five weeks and two short days until 2600 of my new best friends and I toe the line and charge up those hills....towards Iron!