Though You Were Not Poem by Francis Duggan

Though you were not the winner you gave of your best
And you went down with honour on your greatest test
To lose on the day was something you did not choose
But for one for to win another has to lose
Somebody's loss becomes somebody's gain
In a competitive Human World this is how it will remain
By the better one on the day you said you were beat
And on saying so proved yourself honourable in defeat
Though the cheers for the winner were lusty and loud
You gave of your best and for this should feel proud
With grace you accepted defeat though you would have loved to have won
But you can feel quite proud that your best you have done
To lose to one better is never a sin
The next time your turn may come for to win.