The Olympics 2016

Four years have elapsed since London put on the show,
this time it is on the other side of the Atlantic
and there is one picture that defines the location,
it is well-known for it shows a symbol.
a symbol of what Man can do in Belief
before it is captured by commercialism.

Journey by taxi, bus, train or escalator
to the viewing platforms and memento vevdors,
awe inspiring to the visitors,
Christos, the guardian of the River of January
looking down, seeing all, doing nothing.

Seeing the wealth of the Nation displayed,
displayed in bars, in nightclubs, in multi-starred hotels,
seeing sun-kissed bodies practicing religion;
the new Cathedral is the Cocacabana,
today's religion includes soccer and volleyball.

Seeing the shanty towns at the periphepy,
seeing the poor at the periphery.
Rubbish dumps are work and home to them. 

This statue, this symbol, cannot turn its head away,
Christos must view ahead for eternity,
but his Maker was both kind and clever,
for many hours he can keep his head in the clouds,
and this brings us back to the Olympics,
for the lOC took the same stance for Rio 2016.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Agustin Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Roberts Avatar
October 23, 2019 at 1:35 PM
Thank you Jan Allison, it came about when a close friend and his wife visited the site and their words gave me the idea
Allison Avatar
August 16, 2016 at 1:49 PM
Powerfully written and your final stanza sure packs a punch Mike:-) hugs Jan xx
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