Beautiful moments,
When many hearts beat as one.
Beautiful but for a moment,
Then a beautiful moment, gone.
At first a passion growing,
Hiding fear and pain and tears;
The passion of eight souls rowing
Carries strength to span the years.
As suns rise and as nights follow,
When eight strokes begin to blend,
The voice of unison cuts through the zephyr,
And disunity, nine souls transcend.
Beautiful moments of power and harmony,
Moments awarded for trust.
But so precious a trust is still fragile,
And when broken, the harmony hushed.
Beautiful moments, concealed by resentment.
The pain of injustice can sear.
One soul back to nine broken pieces,
When courage turns back into fear.
But just as a beautiful moment
Moves quietly into the past,
So, too, does a moment of sadness,
Fear not, for the pain will not last.
The persistence of a crew that’s found harmony
Is stronger than sadness could know.
Wounded hearts move safely thru night,
Back to unity nine souls will row.
Beautiful moments, here but a short time.
Many hearts persevere unto dawn.
Moments pass slowly to memory.
Beautiful moments—past, but never truly gone.
***
Katie Lively is a resident of Marietta, Ohio. She graduated from Marietta College in the spring of 2025. Lively was part of Marietta College’s varsity Women’s Rowing program for four years and developed a passion for the sport as well as an interest in lifelong health habits and fitness.
