.
she wuz thin
yet
thick she were
soft
though rough
she were the
short
yet
every inch
flaunted hern
tall
Young ladies of steel showing their true grit
as they prance on the narrow balance beam.
Breathtaking moves, never thinking to quit;
never losing site of that golden dream.
Twisting with grace amid strong somersaults,
impossible feats commanding the floor.
Soaring past fate to complete perfect vaults,
sticking their landing for a perfect score.
Spinning so quickly on uneven bars,
each bar another mountain to scale.
Flying as on wings thru space left ajar
where Olympians begin to set sail.
Brave gymnasts harken to Athena's schemes,
reaching on toes for their coveted dreams;
Gymnasts and Poets
Poetry writing, a practiced passion,
Gymnastics, practiced poetry in motion,
Choose your form with the first line.
Move quickly into the mood,
directly spoken, intimated,
free verse or rhyme.
Mount the apparatus in graceful form,
forward mount or backward mount,
conventional, unorthodox.
Execute the routine flawlessly.
Express the idea to the core.
Stretch your legs and arms beyond the limit.
Dig deep into your mind’s eye for images.
Lead into the dismount, backward or forward.
Set up the next to last closing phrase to return to the idea.
Nail the dismount with energy.
Nail the last line with emotion.
Such is the passion of gymnasts and poets.
11/19/16
Running into a fixed object
Must send senses into conflict,
Yet girls hit that horse at full spree.
Watching female gymnasts thrills me.
Parallel bars seek perfect catch,
Sailing, holding forms few can match,
Then sticking the mat easily.
Watching female gymnasts thrills me.
Girls transfix on a four inch beam
Where flips, splits, and cartwheels are seen.
Bodies rip and zip moves freely.
Watching female gymnasts thrills me.
Floor routines spark my excitement.
They toss, fly, leap in amazement.
I become spellbound with pure glee.
Watching female gymnasts thrills me.
Spry bodies do things mine will not
With talent hot and grace on spot.
Gymnasts defy known gravity.
Such sights give goose bump thrills to me!
Gymnasts on the balance beam,
Poised and in control;
Somersaulting, toes a'point -
Gold their longed-for goal.
Dusted hands for surer grips,
Hair slicked back from faces;
Ready to perform what they've
Perfected through their paces.
Eyes like lasers, bodies taut,
They spring and bolt and leap,
Doing the routines they've practiced
Even in their sleep.
One false move, though, poof! it's gone -
The years and the years of training.
Through the smiling mask, we see
The hope so quickly draining.
Still, we must applaud their skill.
They've made it to the dance,
And though they may not medal there,
At least they had the chance.
Gymnasts bend and flip
Sometimes fall but always laugh
Teammates love and care