she spins and balances on
something so slim
as if it is air and not substance
lifting her up
under the weight of
all those eyes
those eyes not seeing
practiced strength
powering her rehearsed flights
over and on that beam
so often
to do this one more time
is automatic as breath
her body knows
the motion so well
she cannot trust eyes
dazzled by camera flashes
while muscles work against gravity
and through it
as feet land
in perfect proprioception
not only strength
but grace works here
or is it faith
that flawlessly knows position
and velocity
trust of body
and surrender of spirit
as she gives God
glory for
this floating dance
of repetition
another prayer of movements
one embodied moment
among many
enacted practices
of faith
Awww this is beautiful. Brings those amazing gymnasts to mind
Thanks, Boomie
Wrote it with Gabby in mind, but works for all of them on lots of levels, I think.
Yes, I was about to say. The image that came to mind was one of a classical dancer, but yes Gabby is gracious and it was a pleasure seeing her perform.
It really was.
LONDON — Turns out there is nothing to it at all. You go out there and tumble and fly and twirl the way you’ve done your whole life, even though you are 16 years old and a billion people are watching and you are supposed to feel more pressure than most people would feel in a hundred lifetimes. You pay no mind. You think nothing of this, nothing of being the first African-American to earn the biggest prize in Olympic gymnastics, the women’s all-around title. “You never want to doubt yourself. You have to go out there and be a beast,” Gabby Douglas said.
She rocked it
Great ode to a great American girl!
She left me breathless – what an amazing talent!
me too!
I love how gymnasts use their mind, body and soul. For few minutes or seconds, they time their life’s best experience. They gracefully use their body like ballet dancers. The body is their ornament of showing the power of flexibility. It takes courage, faith and mindfulness to act, like you said. For me, it is a spiritual experience when I see them performing.
Gabby and others lived that moment.
You captured the same spirit of joy through your words. Loved it, Susan.
Thank you, Pawan.
Wonderful ~ Really ! Debbie
Thanks, Deb!
Such awe in the watching, amazement one can even do what seems near impossible.
Yes–such strength and grace combined flawlessly to do what seems any human should be unable to reach. Cheers to her