Olympic Poem

Somewhere in the background, occupying .05% of my attention, is the London schools poem competition.  The theme: the Olympics, of course, since we are now 132 days from the Summer Games.  Eitan's poem chosen for the school final, which he recites, from memory, in front of 350 kids and three judges. He is runner-up to Luke and both boys will compete city-wide schools competition. Here is his poem:

"The Olympic torch winks cheekily
Starting an emotional fortnight
Joy, grief, jealousy
competition at its height

"A swimming pool glints its perfect white teeth
Daring the swimmer to dive
Water cloaks him in a shroud of cold
He has never felt more alive

"The boxing ring beckons
The fighting starts
Life sapped faces loom
Just one more punch is all it takes
Someone will give in soon

"The podium waits
The first place spot stands
Above second and third
The medal is placed
Round the winner's neck
Through tears his vision is blurred"


Eitan and I walk Rusty.  Ahead of us : four 12-year olds in their afternoon tennis skirts. Eitan and I cross the street.

Madeleine: "Eitan's poem was so cool."
Me: "Yeah?"
Madeleine: "He read it in front of the entire school."
Me: "So you saw him?"
Madeleine: "Yep."
Me: "You must have been pretty proud of your brother."
Madeleine: "Yeah."