PROUD FATHER OF THE PARALYMPICS

 

Professor Sir Ludwig "Poppa" Guttmann

 

How proud would Ludwig be?

If he could only see

The oak tree that has grown

From his tiny acorn sown

 

As a Jew he was no stranger

To prejudice and its danger

He had seen the Nazi storm

And they’re concept of the norm

He saw how disabilities lead

To the slaughter shed

So he fled to London

And his work was begun

 

How proud would Poppa be?

If he could only see

The fruits of his endeavours

To change the view forever

Of people written off

“Only cripples?” he would scoff

 

He was a tour de force

And single minded of course

Who didn’t see freak show exhibits

But challenges to the human spirit

 

How proud he would have been

If he could have only seen

When Paralympians, each and every one

Out shone the September sun