I don't have any achievement or Olympic poems, but wanted to post something so that you know I am not dead!
Slipping Full-length Down My Life
Your head is just breaths away.
I wait for you, for formality -
spent too much on sentiment.
I want to use your life, write down your spine.
It’s summer now. The sun
speaks in long shadows and
all the flowers are white.
You read me by scars.
Do you remember writing them?
I watch the end of the sun catch your ringless finger
and could kiss you.
I want to put myself in your thoughts.
One last time.
The Writers!
At Gardoussel retreat August 2008
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Article
Hi all,
Do you remember trying to help me with an article for the city's daily newspaper, the Leicester Mercury? I was pipped at the post by another writer who did something similar, so I found another subject and my article was printed in last night's issue. I don't get any money for the articles but I have to admit it's nice when the lady at Asda's deli. counter says, "Aren't you that woman who writes in the Mercury?"
"OLYMPIANS
The Beijing Games have finished, all of them; the Olympics and the Paralympics. What a shame it is that we have to differentiate between the two.
I don’t follow any sport but thanks to the existence of wrap-around media, it’s impossible to be unaware of what is happening in the sporting world and like everyone else in the country, I was thrilled by the winning Olympians and especially enchanted by the smiles of Eleanor (Ellie) Simmonds and Rebecca Adlington. Incredibly, both of these young people were double gold medal swimmers.
It is the aim of our nation to include people with disabilities in all aspects of life, wherever possible; in education, on transport, in shops, in competing for jobs. The system is not foolproof but it is the intent that no one should be excluded from the main stream because of an accident of birth or for any other reason.
The slogan for the Paralympic Games is, “One World : One Dream”, the same as for the Olympics. So why are two separate sets of Games held? It would be silly to suggest that athletes compete with each other, but why aren’t the Games held concurrently? The 25 Paralympic events could be slotted into the existing Olympian programme. The Paralympians would then get the support, the media coverage and the plaudits they deserve. They are as brave, as talented, as dedicated and as hardworking as the Olympians. They should have equal treatment. I doubt it would be beyond the ingenuity of the Olympics Committee and the Paralympic Committee to organise, if they so chose. The Paralympics should not be the ‘follow-on’ Games. This seems to dilute the efforts of the athletes, which is unfair. People are said to remember only the one who came first in a race, never who came second. This year, thanks to Ellie, the nation knows who came ‘second’. As a Team GB spokesman said of her, “Everyone has taken her to their hearts.”
This year, over 4,200 athletes competed in the 13th Paralympic Games. If the Games were combined, there would have to be greater facilities to cater for the athletes and their families and supporters. We know the 2012 Games in London will be expensive. Can we therefore spend less on fireworks and more on inclusion, according to our nation’s aims?
On a breakfast television programme recently, the news presenter said to Ellie, who was sitting next to him on the sofa, “You gave us so many golden moments at the Games.”
She was not the only one."
Do you remember trying to help me with an article for the city's daily newspaper, the Leicester Mercury? I was pipped at the post by another writer who did something similar, so I found another subject and my article was printed in last night's issue. I don't get any money for the articles but I have to admit it's nice when the lady at Asda's deli. counter says, "Aren't you that woman who writes in the Mercury?"
"OLYMPIANS
The Beijing Games have finished, all of them; the Olympics and the Paralympics. What a shame it is that we have to differentiate between the two.
I don’t follow any sport but thanks to the existence of wrap-around media, it’s impossible to be unaware of what is happening in the sporting world and like everyone else in the country, I was thrilled by the winning Olympians and especially enchanted by the smiles of Eleanor (Ellie) Simmonds and Rebecca Adlington. Incredibly, both of these young people were double gold medal swimmers.
It is the aim of our nation to include people with disabilities in all aspects of life, wherever possible; in education, on transport, in shops, in competing for jobs. The system is not foolproof but it is the intent that no one should be excluded from the main stream because of an accident of birth or for any other reason.
The slogan for the Paralympic Games is, “One World : One Dream”, the same as for the Olympics. So why are two separate sets of Games held? It would be silly to suggest that athletes compete with each other, but why aren’t the Games held concurrently? The 25 Paralympic events could be slotted into the existing Olympian programme. The Paralympians would then get the support, the media coverage and the plaudits they deserve. They are as brave, as talented, as dedicated and as hardworking as the Olympians. They should have equal treatment. I doubt it would be beyond the ingenuity of the Olympics Committee and the Paralympic Committee to organise, if they so chose. The Paralympics should not be the ‘follow-on’ Games. This seems to dilute the efforts of the athletes, which is unfair. People are said to remember only the one who came first in a race, never who came second. This year, thanks to Ellie, the nation knows who came ‘second’. As a Team GB spokesman said of her, “Everyone has taken her to their hearts.”
This year, over 4,200 athletes competed in the 13th Paralympic Games. If the Games were combined, there would have to be greater facilities to cater for the athletes and their families and supporters. We know the 2012 Games in London will be expensive. Can we therefore spend less on fireworks and more on inclusion, according to our nation’s aims?
On a breakfast television programme recently, the news presenter said to Ellie, who was sitting next to him on the sofa, “You gave us so many golden moments at the Games.”
She was not the only one."
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