poetry games

I have not been following the Olympics much,
but I have really enjoyed these poems from NPR.

This one spoke to me in particular.

Ron Tanovitz

August 3, 2012

South African poet Mbali Vilakazi is also a performer and radio producer based in Cape Town. Vilakazi's poem pays tribute to South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, the first female amputee ever to qualify for the Olympic Games.

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Du Toit lost her leg after a scooter accident at age 17. During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, du Toit carried the torch for South Africa and competed in the women's 10 km open-water race. The Order of Ikhamanga mentioned in the poem is awarded by the president of South Africa for achievement in culture and sports. Of du Toit's accomplishments Vilakazi says, "I want to be able to celebrate her and the inspiration she is. ... She is everything the Olympics represent to me — the triumph of the human spirit."

Woman of scars, and triumph

the dance is fluid

unexpected

tears of loss flowing

towards your many firsts

You are the Order of Ikhamanga

in gold.

A flower,

beautiful and unique

among the baobabs of the land

Your shape shifting

The disabled-abled body

A quest

untempered by its tests --

“if you want to get there, you go on”

You have already won

You always do

And we do too

We are the believers.

The message in its possibility:

A new freestyle,

Long distance

And in your own lane.

via {NPR}