Olympic Poetry

Well the Olympics is on and there's some amazing athletes doing some incredible things. Much of their performance is beautiful to watch and contains highly choreographed movement with artistic flourishes. So our group was tasked with choosing an Olympic sport and writing a poem or short story about the athlete's prowess, poise, determination and perhaps their hopes. We then had to imagine we were the athlete and write about the moment just prior to the big performance and what was going through the athlete's head.

GOING FOR GOLD

I feel the nerves take hold,

Breathe, I tell myself.

Forget the skater now competing,

I have no control over what she does.

Maybe she will give a better performance,

Maybe she will not,

That is outside my control.

But my own programme is not!

Don’t watch.

Just breathe and breathe again.

What do I need to do?

Think girl, think.

I need to land my triples,

All of them!

I can do it,

I know I can!

This is no time to doubt.

I can do it.

I know I can!

Do I try for my triple axel?

Do I, do I?

I have landed it in practice,

I have landed it in my programme.

It’s hard, but I have done it.

But do I take the risk?

I am sitting fourth now.

Can I move up?

A triple axel and clean programme would do it.

Can I do it.

Yes, I have done it!

I can do it again!

What if my landing is shaky?

What if, what if?

I could tack on another jump.

Yes, I could.

It doesn’t need to be a triple,

A double will do.

Yes, that is the plan.

I have nothing to lose.

I only have something to gain.

Yes, I can do it,

I can really do it.

And I will.

My coach believes in me,

And so do I.

My goodness, it’s my turn,

My turn to be the best I can be.

I am ready.

- AMH

INSPIRATION 

The skater takes his pose

Waiting for his music to begin.

He glances at his coach

Who nods his support.

His music begins and his body sways

As the music appears to become a part of him.

He begins to move

As the music takes him with it.

He becomes caught up in the story

His music and his moves tell.

The music builds

As he prepares for his first jump.

His focus is intense.

Set it up,

Wait for the beat.

He summons the strength,

And he takes off.

Lift and twist.

Round once, twice, three times.

Landing backwards he lifts off again

Using the momentum from his landing

To gather the lift and speed needed.

He takes off.

Lift and twist.

Round once, twice, three times.

He lands with a smile on his face.

Perfect.

One element achieved, the hardest.

He feels on a roll.

His body works to the music

Flowing effortlessly with the beat.

He feels strong and in control.

Wait for the beat.

Now spin.

Wait for the beat.

Now change position.

Another element,

Perfect.

He feels strong and in control.

Again, and again,

Perfect.

He is near the end,

Now the music is all that matters.

It flows around and through him

Taking him through his movements

To that final dramatic sound and pose.

As the music fades away

He slowly becomes aware of the standing ovation.

In this moment he knows,

Knows he has achieved a personal best.

- AMH

THE HIGH JUMP

As the high jumper poised himself 

and got into his stance

he gathered his thoughts 

by having a glance at the bar 

and how far and how high. 

He thought, oh my

I will try and try 

to jump so high, 

I will even try to fly. 

Over the jump and 

over the lump and the bumps 

on the way to glory I will go.

Go for gold 

for gold is the best colour 

to seek and secure 

valour, prestige, honour. 

No guts, no glory. 

So I gather my prowess 

and try to jump 

as high as the sky

To jump and leap 

whether I dance 

or hold my stance 

in such a way to play 

and compete. 

To extend my arms and legs

to stretch and move 

as high as a kite.

To jump with all my might 

and to gracefully 

win to my delight.

- G Maynard