What it means to lose

You don't need to call it a loss
because you already know it is
From the way you feel physically
to the way your head absorbs the sadness

If your team did not lose
meaning score fewer points
in the specific game mentioned
then you are parading as the victor

I'm at a loss as to why you would
even pretend to be something you
are not, if in fact, you were the winner
because everyone would celebrate in your wake

Unless to avoid the spotlight
you pretend that others took
your hard-earned glory
and hide in the shadow, a timid champion

[Note: I wouldn't have thought I would have written this poem when I submitted the November Poem-A-Day prompt that inspired this.  But I guess that's what prompts are for, to surprise yourself even.  Thanks to Robert Lee Brewer for selecting my prompt for November 25 this year!]