Home » Poems » Ilene Bauer » Watching Olympic Figure Skating

Watching Olympic Figure Skating

The skaters glide across the ice,
Perform a triple axel, twice!
But sometimes fall and pay the price;
I don’t know how they do it.

For if a slip is somehow made,
Perhaps by tripping on a blade,
A beaming face is still displayed
As if they never knew it.

Until the point the music ends
When each performer comprehends
He’ll earn no medal dividends
Because he somehow blew it.

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Maurice Rigoler

Date: 2/12/2022 10:59:00 AM

As a former figure skater in my teen years, I understand what a fall can mean if one's goal is to be the winner. In my case I won without a fall. But even had I fallen, I would have gotten up and continued. I competed for the challenge, not a prize. / Maurice

John Watt

Date: 2/8/2022 2:27:00 PM

the ability to overcome the pressure of the big moment and execute a routine with perfection or near-perfection, is such an admirable talent... it's pure magic to watch it unfold, but heartache to watch it fall apart for that poor soul who has invested so much to get to that moment on the world stage... so aptly stated!

Rico Leffanta

Date: 2/8/2022 10:27:00 AM

I admire skaters who rise with a smile, but not as much as I admire your poetry!

L Milton Hankins

Date: 2/7/2022 8:09:00 PM

I have often wondered the same thing, Ilene. How they keep going after it has all slipped out of their grasp. I'd simply throw up my hands and say, "Screw this, I'm going home!" But, then, they have far more stamina than I ever had.

Marikate Kingston

Date: 2/7/2022 6:03:00 PM

Hello Ilene, a poet named John Watt suggested I look u up. I'm so delighted I did. Loving the Olympics, I wondered if poems had been posted about them yet. I can see the athletes in your poem and feel many feelings of excitement, fear, & exhilaration in your verses. Your heart sinks when you watch them fall & when I read your 2nd stanza. It somewhat described the sad falls of the young Asian girl skater. This was terrific, and this former Vt. skater loved it.

Ann Peck

Date: 2/7/2022 6:03:00 PM

That is so true, Ilene! I love to watch ice skating and I've seen so many excellent ones blow it for lack of nerves. Really sad. I really liked your poem :)