A Salute To Phil Hughes Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

What made that day to dawn
without a sign of warning?
what made him not to think
that God was waiting on the other side
for him to join His team;
as he played, as he contemplated,
time kept running out for him
but he did not at all doubt
that the end was nearing.
While confidence forgot apprehension
while dreams pursued triumph
he practiced to gear up his perfection,
suddenly just one fast ball,
just one hard hit put him down
and as he fell, no one expected
he would not wake up again,
never to play again;
unto God, all called out aloud
hoping he would be spared:
more than a player
they did not want to lose their friend,
more than a son so young
none expected him to go
without the thrills of winnings,
without the joys of eminence.
All watched helplessly
as he played the last game
with his life, with his still fate
he did not win, neither he lost
as silently he surrendered to God
a greater victory it was
for having lived, loved
and played well
that tears were the applause
and profound sadness a prayer.