Friday, August 8, 2008

Let the Games Begin!

I love the Olympic opening ceremonies. When the dancers flow, when the fireworks soar, when the teams march, when the colors rise, and when the torch finally bursts into flame, all our good intentions rise and fill the stadium. It is the dawn of the possible, and we know our own names.

Over the next two weeks, we will meet and compete. We will run, jump, swim, sail, fire, dive, flip, lift, throw, shoot, toss, kick, fall, tumble and fly. We will win, lose, cry, and cheer. If we are lucky, we will clasp hands, and forget suddenly, in this time, that we are not one. And, if we are truly lucky, those who watch in-country and around the world, and cheer their team, will forget for a moment too.

Too soon, the Games will end. We will lower our flags and extinguish the torch. We will turn toward our hostilities. We will forget that we found unity in our sweat and tears. We will remember the differences of politics and skin. Those brief, torch-lit moments will fade, and we will see the dividing lines again.

Until the torch flames, in another two years, and our hopes rise.

4 comments:

Spartacus Jones said...

A lovely idea.
You're a "glass half full" kind of person, aren't you?
I admire that.

But take note of the national flags and the playing of national anthems.

If we did it right, without the politics, all athletes woould compete under one flag, the olympic flag.

Just my opinion.

sj

CoyoteFe said...

Spartacus Jones!

What do you mean, HALF? Bahaha!

Oh - You're thinking of Russia and Georgia?

My mother always asks, "If they can call a cease fire for Christmans, why can't they just call a cease fire?" And, the answer,of course, is: One moment of peace, then another until they all string together into your vision of a true Olympic team. Someday?

Spartacus Jones said...

I like your mother. :)

sj

CoyoteFe said...

Me too. :-)