Five links of a broken chain, whose
Fragments trail from Mount Olympus where
Naked bodies gleamed in olive oil,
Athletic glory, its own reward
and truth prevailed,
Laurel limb sprigs crowned success,
Participation the greatest honour,
Ollimpricks in bronze
Idealised Adonis
Grotesque and gorgeous
Nationalism in stasis.
Millennia fly and resurrected
Amateur spirit soon dejected,
Corporates shackled to
Five chain links
Prostrate, sacrificing obscene riches,
Unworthy to watch the bronzed gravy train,
With promises of exclusivity
Until she's gone again.
The people beg for an audience
Flushing a nations' treasure
For a hard fought night.
A celebration of the people
Excluding spontaneous creative cultural interaction, because
That not sanctioned holds no traction, but likely prosecution.
All are welcomed and volunteers expected
Free to participate for free,
subject to restrictions of
corporate and contractual
licensing obligations.
Past participants a family grows
And interests vested no one betrays,
Entitled and elevated
Status assumed and expected,
Behemoth swollen and depraved
Leaps continent to continent
Leaching resources,
Dragging five links of chain
Rendering all impotent at a glance,
Ollimpricks rule,
With the reality of Zeus.
as i live, i am currently preparing for my debut in the next summer olympics. Long Term Sleeping. or is that in the WINTER olympics? ? i think i have a pretty good chance of a silver, at least, in the over-65 category. when you've had time to see what the costs/benefits ratio is for the host country, please write a new poem; i wonder if your opinion will be the same. i really don't know what to think/say, except that like two previous commenters [is this a word; spell check doesn't like it] i have enjoyed viewing olympics on tv...........in the past; i haven't watched it, or much other tv in years. i'm too busy training. bri
Reads like an litany of abuses perpetrated on these historic games for greed and gain. Excellent write. Let us all honor the hard work and dedication of these fine athletes who have given countless hours of their lifes to define themselves in a brief period of history for our betterment.
The Olympics showcase seems to have lost sight of the real spirit of the Games - excellent write Danny.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
p.s. i love the title. did you get the inspiration while looking through the wall peep hole into the weightlifters shower room? ?