Greetings, Poetry Lovers! As I type this, snowboarders are sailing into the air on my TV screen, and I look forward to the Opening Ceremonies Friday night. As honorary USA Coach Snoop Dogg says, "Love and Peace." We need a lot of both this year.
Many of you probably knew this already, but I just stumbled into the fact that POETRY was part of the Olympics in the first part of the 20th century, with its roots in the ancient games. Say what? Here is a Smithsonian article all about it, by Ellen Wexler, published while all eyes were on Paris in 2024. Enjoy!
Sounds like it never quite got off the ground like the snowboarders, and some of the verse wiped out....
Here's a taste:
ODE TO SPORT
by Pierre de Coubertin
I.
O Sport, delight of the Gods, distillation of lire! In the grey dingle of modern existence, restless with
barren toil, you suddenly appeared like the shining messenger of vanished ages, those ages when
humanity could smile. And to the mountain tops came dawn's first glimmer, and sunbeams dappled the
forest's gloomy floor.
...
Here's the rest of the poem, but you need to skim the Smithsonian article to get the real history about its "author" (& modern games pioneer).
Now, ski, tobbogan, ice dance, or bobsled your way over to Poetry Champion Molly's place at Nix the Comfort Zone for this week's Roundup. Thanks for hosting, Molly!
Then make your way back here next week, when I have the privilege of hosting for Valentine's Day weekend. :0)