Inspired by the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad.

Praise the Olympians their majesty;
they're proof the body temple's the spirit*1
as bare flesh shows to be scarce travesty
when sheer tests of prowess press to cheer it.

Vigorous, beauteous, primed and critiqued,
trained and treated in rigours of respect;
Citius, Altius, Fortius,*2 tweaked
so the Games mean what one meets to perfect.

Canada’s one, in her homage to Greece,
sweeps aside greater nations when she peaks;
World’s a stage,*3 an Acropolis set piece
which wreaths with mystique the winners she seeks.

Hail! Parthenon’s light still steals Mars’ thunder!
The torch flames – and Rome’s Empire’s none's wonder!



© Helga Ross 2004, 2006


*1 Paul to Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
*2 (faster, higher, stronger)
*3 Shakespeare’s Hamlet