Woman Gymnasts Olympic Competition/ China vs US
Table of contents for 4/Poetry
I saw you tonight
As you knelt down to pray
Perhaps asking God
To please take you away.
But the army was busy
With our Tibetan friends
And God wasn’t ready
To call it a day.
I’m so sorry you missed
That thin beam when you landed
Though you spun through the air
Like a bird in the rafters.
And I’m sad that you sat
On the mat late at night
Like a fighter whose met
One too many hard rights.
But still I would say
You have won a great lesson
About sporting laws
And the ways of oppression.
Your foes were too young
To feel some of the pressures
And they had fake ID’s
From their communist mentors.
So you lost the gold medal
But you have your free life
Unlike many others
Who remain far from sight.
Please come home to us
And accept our true thanks
For all your hard work
In the land of the tanks.
For breathing the air
That’s polluting your lungs
And for praying inside
A godless creation.
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I am having a good time with poetry exercises these past few days. Here is another blog where poetry has found a home.
http://www.penmeapoem.com/category/weekly-poetry-prompt/
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9 responses so far
this one is good!!! i love the “rhythm”, the metaphor and the social relevance… keep it up!
Lareines last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
a very nice salute to an olympian, if they can read this, they’re probably feel a little relief in their effort
lissas last blog post..Buttons
Fascinating poem about the contrasting lives of the Olympians. As a previous commenter said, the structure of the piece is great.
[...] David explores the differences between the free world and China and how this impacts on the lives of the Olympians in this fascinating poem. [...]
Great poem…I like the meter as well as the social relevance of it.
I think we need to thank every single one of our Olympians for their efforts in China, and not just the ones who win the medals. Sadly, the medal winners get nearly all of the accolades and those who represented our countries but didn’t win, are merely forgotten.
Bev
Bevs last blog post..My Dog Tom
This really is a very powerful poem. Both so timely, as well as wonderfully crafted.
I will miss the Olympics. Four years until the next one. By that time those young ladies will be legal Olympic age.
Thanks everyone for your comments about this poem. I really appreciate the fact that you read it and took the time to comment.
You stupid American! You think the air in Beijing will pollute your lungs? Then why do your American team still come to the Olypics?
You said you feel sorry about your Tibetan friends? Then why don’t give your money directly to them. Do you really care about them? Are you really friends of them?
You brainless American! Have you ever been to Beijing or Tibet? Do you have any evidence to prove what you said?