Olympic Poem

[Todd]

Thanks guys, some really interesting words here.

No, I can't change the video a lot, but I can change the words.

That Fifth Ring is a reference to the Olympics opening ceremony, which won Danny Boyle the Beyond Theatre prize at the Evening Standard awards. You may not have watched it. During a moment of extreme chaos, confusion and conflict, as the industrial revolution is being played out, a ring is being forged from molten metal. The WindRush vessel powers onto the stage. The ring is then solidified, lifted and united with the other four. The union, our country’s diversity, is only possible through sustained and continuous strain. It wasn't a colour thing.

There are also loads of ideas which are, I suppose, only appreciated by Britons - 'blast warnings (7/7 bombings)' 'this time last year (the riots)' and, of course, the fact that you weren't there in London for that moment. The shared moment provides a space for the writer and the reader to engage. Not being there, I'm asking you to feel, refeel, reflect on something you never did feel. Not feeling the poem/ interacting with the country's memory I think will elicit a more technical response.

And yes I suppose if I was writing it to be read I wouldn't have written it as I have, to be heard, when people only have one shot at understanding your thread.

Fantastic to see your analysis though, especially from non-Britons. It's amazing how feelings don't carry! My post on the poetryforum.co.uk received quite a different response. Though perhaps if I was an American poet discussing Atlanta they wouldn't have been able to rengage with the feeling.

Thanks a lot

Oh, I remember the fifth ring thing now. Thanks for the clarification. I'm not sure If you could write an American poem that discussed Atlanta, Salt Lake City, or any other venue that would have the impact you have on the video at this point people's memories are short. I think your poem would have a hard time reengaging in the UK in another decade. The poem would than have to shift to specific events (an athlete, an event, etc) to have impact. It is possible that non-Britons are not really your audience, but I know many UK poets that would probably get the references but still want cuts if they were to view this as non-spoken word. There are more poets from that part of the world on here maybe they'll weigh in with their opinions and we'll see what they think. I could be off.

Either way good discussion.