The Greatest of All Time
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Like a magician and a fortune teller with a crystal ball, He would broadcast the round that his opponent would fall. And many began to believe the truth of his predictions, When he took the heavy weight title from Sonny Liston. But not all were happy with this loud and truculent man. And by virtue of his color, America was not going to let him stand. He fully understood the rules – He was born in the South, And dared the establishment to shut his mouth. Now, he got into an argument with America’s Uncle Sam, For refusing to go to war to fight the people of Vietnam. Against the Vietnamese Ali refused to pull the trigger. He had nothing against them – They had never called him “N-----” America called him a coward – Tried to assassinate his name, For refusing to fight a people that America wanted to tame. Others were sent to fight, the people of Vietnam; Something he would not do – Something he did not understand.
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About the Book
“Very nicely crafted.” – Douglas Sullivan “..., the poem was very inspirational ... turned into a teaching event for my kids.” – Cynthia Powell, Daily Press, Newport News, VA For decades, the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali has been told in books, movies, and through various other means of communication. While his story is rooted in the United States, it has touched, inspired, and motivated people all around the world. However, many only recognize him for his accomplishments and successes in the boxing ring, but his true greatest accomplishment was outside the ring. This book highlights Ali’s biggest fight and subsequent victory over the US Government for refusing to be inducted into the US military during the Vietnam War. It is that fight that propelled him to greatness and established him as the Greatest Fighter of All Time. In poetic form, Ali’s experiences are illuminated in this book in a straightforward, allegorical, easy-to-recite, and made to remember style. —Rise as a celebrated Olympic hero in Rome and his return home, only to take his place in the back of the line in a segregated America —Championship victory over Sonny Liston and name change from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali —Refusal for military induction during the war in Vietnam —Heavy weight title and belt being taken and his exile from boxing —Fight to get back into the ring and regain his title —Victory over the US Government and return to the ring If you are a Muhammad Ali enthusiast, this fascinating fact-filled poetic tale of his life is a must-have book for your library.
About the Author
About the Author – Ernest Woodson’s passion for writing began in early childhood. He is the second son born to a polio-incapacitated single-parent mother, and writing was Woodson’s way of escaping the hardships of poverty and the detriments of growing up without the love and guidance of a father. This poem about Muhammad Ali was first written by Woodson in the late 1960s and revised for publication in the Richmond Free Press (Richmond, Virginia) on June 10, 2016, the day of Ali’s life celebration.