[Michael Cantor]

Since I'm wasting far too much time watching the Olympics it might as well be put to good use.

Write poems inspired by the Olympics. One that meets this requirement (sort of) is posted below to get things started.

A Modest Proposal

All those who won't support us when we say
Make water-boarding an Olympic sport
have now become the enemy; for they
are those who won't support the USA.
We've got Jack Bauer here, we've come to play,
persuade, extract, imprison or deport
all those who won't support the USA.
MAKE WATER-BOARDING AN OLYMPIC SPORT!

[Karen Petersen]

One Hundred Meters
–for Usain Bolt

Like Hermes he ran,
ebony in motion
flying toward the line
winged-gold fleetness
and the prize was his.

Who knew the sweat and
hardship from those loins
and the darker days
he rose well above,
more a bird in flight.

Now he’s above all
an Olympian
ringed with garlands
and accolades,
heralded evermore.



[This message has been edited by Karen Petersen (edited August 17, 2008).]

[John Whitworth]

Reflections on Unusual British Olympic Success

our olympic golds
are all for stuff done sitting
down or lying down

[Donna English]

Losing Big


A hundredth of a second, folks!
That’s faster than the time
it took to type one letter
in, or punctuate this line!
The guy who came in second place,
by the thinness of a dime,
lost the race with sportsmanship
no fits, no fights, no whine!

[Julie Steiner]

This was inspired by the American commentators' holier-than-thou attitude whenever an Islamic country's all-male delegation entered the Opening Ceremony. (Mind you, not all the Islamic countries sent all-male delegations, but Saudi Arabia's earned special derision.)


Backward, backward Kingdom Saudi,
saying women's sports are bawdy!
Fearing female profanation,
their Olympic delegation
is all-male. Their chicks are cheated!
We know how women SHOULD be treated:

Take, for instance, our gymnastic
teams! The menfolk do fantasic
feats in snazzy stirrup pants;
but women also get a chance!
(Pure coincidence, no doubt,
that half their heinies must hang out.)

Beach volleyball, as well! Again,
the gals earn gold, just like the men!
Okay, the gals use lower nets.
(And play in bra-and-panty sets...)
But that's irrelevant! We're far
less sexist than those Saudis are!

We're more enlightened in the West:
our women can compete while dressed
in Spandex micro-underwear!
(Though I admit, the dames who dare
wear outfits that are less obscene
don't get to cross the t.v. screen.)

Why can't those silly Saudis see
that treating women EQUALLY
is just the moral thing to do?
After all, they get to view
OUR fine example all the time.
Tut-tut. When will they turn from crime?

Julie Stoner



[This message has been edited by Julie Stoner (edited August 19, 2008).]

[Donna English]

Loved it, Julie!

[Rick Mullin]

End of Olympus

In Memoriam I.H.

So proud. So strong. So young. Their cold medallions
Hang on necks that strain, forever yearning.
All regard the Beijing night, its burning
Flare of torch and starlight where the stallions
Trained by riot cops abound. But think!
Reflect upon on this shattered state of all
Internecine and extranational
Gestalts. This flattened world. This kitchen sink.
Hands seen and unseen in the market. Cains
Take Ables down! No hope! No recourse! Ah, but
Once a man came forward through the rotgut
Night in a COAT OF MANY GOLDEN CHAINS .



[This message has been edited by Rick Mullin (edited August 21, 2008).]

[Mary Moore]

OLYMPIC DREAM

I comprehend
how athletes can
move fast, jump far,
hit a ball accurately
but cannot imagine
how tumblers
propel themselves
into the air through
loopholes in the
laws of gravity,
then turn
serial flips and
somersaults.

Training, they say,
from the age of six.

If bodies can develop
this kind of finesse,
imagine how minds
might react to
a childhood
devoted to
mental gymnastics.
Let’s start giving
gold medals
for cerebration!


Mary E. Moore

[This message has been edited by Mary Moore (edited August 19, 2008).]

[Mary Meriam]

Reflections on Unusual British Olympic Success

our olympic golds
are all for stuff done sitting
down or lying down

I like yours a lot, John. The enjambment from L2 to L3 is Miltonic in its gravity.

[Rick Mullin]

Miltonic Gravity as the force that keeps 'em sitting?~,:^)





[This message has been edited by Rick Mullin (edited August 19, 2008).]