The Game Of Soccer

Stadium overcrowded by enthusiastic fans,
Cheering, waving flags, and clapping their hands.

Players are on the field, they’re ready to start,
There goes the whistle; it pumps up our hearts.

Adding strength to the ball, and kicking it high,
The ball travels overhead, how beautiful it can fly.

Over center field, and still it goes strong,
Pass received with ease, and the player runs long.

There he goes, for his opponent’s goal,
He dribbles through each player; he’s on a roll.

He takes the shot, and curves it by,
The keeper dives for it, far and high.

The goalie misses it; the ball’s in the net,
There’s a moment of silence, and no regrets.

The winners jump for joy, that win was a must,
Opponents heads tilt down low, they leave in disgust.

A player’s life fulfilled is playing world class,
To be playing all year long on the rich green grass.

Playing with heart may be sometimes tougher,

But that’s how you play the true game of soccer.

by Kristen-Chantelle Woo

This is an example of a free write poem. It is about the game of soccer, which is a huge part of the summer olympics and has many spectators around the world (especially Europeans). Being a huge fan of the sport myself, I think this poem captured the essence of the game from the player's point of view, as well as the spectator's. It is composed of rhyming couplets which create a light mood and at the same time tie the poem together nicely. Some examples of literary devices are alliteration (green grass), assonance (kicking it high), and imagery ( 'He takes the shot, and curves it by, The keeper dives for it, far and high'; 'rich green grass'). This poem ties into my theme as it is once again about an olympic sport, and about the emotions evoked in the athletes as well as in the spectators. My favourite line/stanza in this poem is the last rhyming couplet as I can really relate to it, that playing any game with heart can sometimes be tough, but at the same time it has to be done if I want to win.

An Athlete's Journey

Amateur,

Nervous, hesitant,

Trying, waiting, pondering

Rookie, chump -- specialist, expert

Maturing, learning, committing,

Proficient, prepared,

Professional

by Mara A.

This poem is an example of a diamante. A diamante is a diamond shaped poem that expresses contrast. This website doesn't allow me to arrange it in the shape of a diamond but in my calendar it will be in the corresponding shape. In this case, this poem is about an amateur athlete versus a professional one (the contrast). In the beginning of any athlete's career there tends to be a lack of confidence and he/she tends to be very unsure of the plays they want to make. On the other hand, a professional athlete is almost always sure of himself/herself and there always needs to be confidence in their ability to play as an individual or a team. Olympic athletes know the essence of both sides as they were once amateurs who eventually turned into olympians (some of which are also professional). In this poem there are a lot of adjectives used to enhance the contrast between amateurs and professionals, as well as the repetition of the syllable 'ing'. The alliteration of the letter 'p' in the last three words is also used to accentuate the description of a professional.

Not Just Another Celebration

The street crowds roaring,

Yet another gold achieved,

Waves of red and white,

Cheering till early morning,

O’Canada proudly sung.

by Mara A.

This poem is an example of a tanka. A tanka, just like the haiku, is a type of Japanese poem. It contains a total of thirty one syllables: line one is five syllables in length, line two is seven, line three is five, line four is seven, and line five is also seven. This poem is about all the celebrations that were on the streets of downtown Vancouver whenever Canada would win another medal (especially a gold one). This poem of five lines is a concise idea of what went on every night, describing how the national anthem was heard everywhere and everyone's spirits kept high as celebrations and parties would go on till the early morning. Some poetic devices used in this poem are: metaphor (waves of red and white), alliteration/assonance (another gold achieved), hyperbole (street crowds roaring). The addition of the metaphor 'waves of red and white' is used in order to paint an image of everyone dressed in red and white and of the Canadian flag waving around everywhere you went.

Farewell Ode To The Olympics

Well my Olympic stay is over and what a time it was

Now have to get back down to earth and bid bye to all the buzz

Volunteer pledge completed over 80 hours done

But doesn’t mean there wasn’t time for me to have some fun

Walked every street within my reach took in all the sights

No matter where I looked saw lineups in the lights

I zipped across tall buildings cheered alone and in a crowd

Daily belted out our anthem sang it loud and sang it proud

Canadian flags waved freely everywhere the eyes did go

Young, old, newcomers all wanting their pride to show

Though all countries were represented seemed only one had fans

Our sea of red and white engulfed the streets and unified the clans

The athletes you were awesome thanks to you we were all here

You persevered with courage passion overtook your fear

Your efforts were inspiring your disappointment shared

No matter how you did or placed you have to know we cared

We followed every move you made in contest or plainclothes

Although we hoped for gold for all, eh that’s the way it goes

Vancouver you were a gracious host you welcomed all of us

You really were hospitable with fanfare and the fuss

I enjoyed my stay with you and all others I have met

It will be a long time in my life before I do forget

Although body wide exhausted hungover with a grin

I have lots of treasured thoughts to remind me where I’ve been

So thank you for the memories all packed to haul back home

Now it’s a return to my reality and time to end this poem

On that note I bid goodbye to a world class celebration

I’m so thankful for all it did to unify our nation

Three weeks of energy invested well but there will be a withdrawal

But I’m comforted by the truth that it will be shared by all

by Carole Bertuzzi Luciani

This poem is an example of an ode. An ode is a lyric poem usually marked by exaltation of feeling and style, varying length of line. Usually it praises someone or something. In this case, this poem is an ode to the 2010 Winter Olympics. I liked this poem because it was written by someone who was actually here during the olympics and really got to experience it first had. I think the author of this poem managed to capture the essence of a spectator of the olympics perfectly, and it really reminded me of my time as a spectator during the olympics. This poem is written in quite a simplistic manner, but again, in regards to my theme I think these are the kinds of poems that suit it best, as 'the olympics' is a light subject to touch on, so if the poems were too loaded with figurative language and too many poetic devices, they would take away the essence of the subject. As well the simplicity of this poem makes it very light and there is some humour added here and there too. However, there are some literary devices used in this ode such as rhyme (every two lines rhyme - the whole poem is almost made based on rhyming couplets), assonance (although we hoped for gold for all), metaphors (sea of red and white), and alliteration ('flags waved freely', 'treasured thoughts').

Hero

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are

There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

It's a long road
And you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold

You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Oh ho, Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away, hey yea

Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time, you find the way, hey

Then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

That a hero lies in you
Mmm, that a hero lies in you

by Mariah Carey

This poem is another example of a ballad. A ballad is a narrative poem intended to be sung, consisting of simple stanzas and usually having a refrain (chorus). This ballad takes the form of a song performed by Mariah Carey. It is about heroes and about how a hero lies within everyone, but sometimes you just have to look harder to find it. There are some literary devices used in this ballad such as assonance (if you reach into your soul), rhyme (although there isn't a set rhyming scheme there are rhymes throughout the ballad such as 'and you cast your fears aside, and you know you can survive'), repetition (the word 'and' in the third stanza appears in three out of the four lines), and other devices. This poem aids my theme because there have been so many heroes who didn't just win medals, but they inspired so many people around the world. For example in the paralympics there are so many people who participate in ski races etc, even though they are blind, or missing a leg. That kind of a person, to me, is a hero because it shows they never let anything get in the way of their dreams, and they proved it to everyone on a world stage. Their stories are truly inspiring, and those are the people that are true heroes.

Snowboarding Is...

fast,

amazing,

invigorating,

daring, extreme,

lively, wild, enticing,

dynamite, radical, terrific,

exciting, uplifting, sensational,

reckless, phenomenal, outrageous,

fabulous, pulse-raising, magnificent!

by Mara A.

This poem is an adjective poem. An adjective poem is a poem made up by using all, or mostly adjectives. In this poem, I chose to use only adjectives, and I arranged my poem in the shape of a slope. This poem is about snowboarding, describing the most abundant emotions that I feel when I think about snowboarding, or while I snowboard. I'm sure there are a lot of people who snowboard and who can relate to this poem. As well, this poem goes with my theme seeing as snowboarding, although relatively new to the olympics, is growing in popularity, and also we have had a couple gold medalists in either snowboarding events this past olympics. Some literary devices used in this poem are assonance and repetition (of the syllable 'ing'). As someone reads the poem, I tried to create a feeling of adrenaline, as a snowboarder whose heart starts racing faster and faster as he/she is going down the slope (hence the shape of the poem and the intensity of the chosen adjectives). It is a poem which describes emotion and atmosphere.

Home Ice Gold

Hammering the puck

Over the goalie’s glove,

Canada to win the gold

Knocking out all rivals

Entire nation celebrating,

Yearning victory is ours.

by Mara A.

This is an example of an acrostic poem. An acrostic poem is a poem in which the initial letter of each line spells out a word. In this case, the word it forms is 'hockey'. As we all know, the victory of the mens' hockey team in the 2010 Olympics was one of the most desired victories by any Canadian seeing as we won olympic gold on home ice. There is no doubt that this will be one of the most cherished victories in all of Canada's history. I felt like Olympic gold in mens' hockey was a huge part of the Olympics, so it was only right to write a poem about it, seeing as it ties into my theme very well. This poem is describing the final seconds of over time of the mens' gold medal match against the USA, when Sydney Crosby scored the 'Golden Goal'. I tried to create a sense of nervousness at the beginning of the poem (as everyone was waiting to see whether the puck really went into the net), while at the end it gives the reader more of a feeling of relief and happiness (in the lines 'entire nation celebrating, yearning victory is ours). While there aren't many literary devices, I felt that keeping it simple and to the point would create a better atmosphere, really allowing the reader to remember what emotions were running through everyone's minds at the time.

Foul Shot

With two 60s stuck on the scoreboard
And two seconds hanging on the clock,
The solemn boy in the center of eyes,
Squeezed by silence,
Seeks out the line with his feet,
Soothes his hands along his uniform,
Gently drums the ball against the floor,
Then measures the waiting net,
Raises the ball on his right hand,
Balances it with his left,
Calms it with fingertips,
Breathes,
Crouches,
Waits,
And then through a stretching of stillness,
Nudges it upward.

The ball
Slides up and out,
Lands,
Leans,
Wobbles,
Wavers,
Hesitates,
Exasperates,
Plays it coy
Until every face begs with unsounding screams—

And then
And then
And then

Right before ROAR-UP,
Dives down and through.

by Edwin A. Hoey

This poem is an example of a parody. A parody is a literary or artistic work that imitates the characteristic style of an author or a work for comic effect or ridicule. This poem, as you can probably tell, is about basketball. I chose this poem because I feel like it is a perfect example of a basketball game of olympic caliber. The author has a unique set up of this poem. He effectively uses different lines for each action, accentuating the intensity of those last couple of seconds of a game. It is also a little bit ironic because the poem is about the last two seconds of a game, but at the same time it takes thirty one lines to describe the adrenaline rush and determination of every player (the poem is quite long considering the actions described take place over two secons). As well, by using literary devices such as repetition (and then, and then, and then), assonance (raises the ball on his right hand), alliteration (lands, leans; wobbles, wavers) and many others, the author is able to establish a clear image in the reader's head about that rush and adrenaline a player gets towards the end of every game, especially a game in the olympics. Basketball is an olympic sport (summer olympics) therefore I thought this parody was a good choice as it fits my theme perfectly, and describes the end of a basketball game perfectly. I also like that it was so unique in the way it was layed out.

I Believe

There comes a moment

When my heart must stand alone

On this lonely path I've chosen

Like a house thats not a home

Sometimes when I feel I've had enough

And I feel like giving up

You willed me to be all I can be

Now nothing can stop me

I believe in the power that comes

From a world brought together as one

I believe together we'll fly

I believe in the power of you and I

This is the moment we have dreamed of all our lives

We'll be the change we wish from others

We'll stand tall for what is right

And in my heart there'll be no doubt

The arms of the world will come reaching out

And embrace me to be all I can be

Now nothing can stop me

I believe in the power that comes

From a world brought together as one

I believe together we'll fly

I believe in the power of you and I

I believe in the power of you and I

I believe, I believe, I believe in..

I believe, I believe in you

I believe, I believe, I believe in..

I believe, I believe in you

I believe, I believe, I believe in you

I believe together we'll fly

I believe in the power of you and I

I believe the time is right now

To stand tall and make the world proud

I believe together we'll fly

I believe in the power

I believe in the power that comes

From a world brought together as one

(Of you and I)

I believe together we'll fly

I believe in the power of you and I

(Power)

I believe the time is right now

(Of you and I)

Stand tall and make the world proud

I believe together well fly

(Together we'll fly)

I believe in the power of you and I

I believe in the power of you and I

By Nikki Yanofsky

This is an example of a ballad. A ballad is a simple narrative poem in short stanzas of popular origin, which usually rhymes and is meant to be sung. As well, ballads often have a refrain (chorus). I chose this particular ballad to go with my theme, first of all because it was sung so frequently during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This is definitely a ballad that Canadians and people all over the world will remember for years to come, as it was informally named the 'theme song' for the 2010 Olympics. This song is about bringing the whole world together, and believing that anything can happen when everyone works as a team. This relates to the athletes as well, because in order to become not only olympians, but olympic medallists they had to believe that it was possible, and they had to work together with their coaches for years in advance. This ballad, once again, evokes the feeling of unity and of believing that anything can happen; even olympic dreams can be fulfilled. This ballad doesn't have a lot of literary devices, but it does have a lot of repetition, seeing as there is a refrain (chorus). There is a lot of assonance as well in the song, but there aren't many more poetic devices used.

Golden Dreams

First place, gold medal

On the podium I stand

Dreams, not real life?

By Mara A.

This poem is an example of a haiku. A haiku is a popular form of Japanese verse written in seventeen syllables divided into three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. While many haikus are about a particular season, they can also be about any topic, but usually bring a twist to the poem in the last line. This poem is about the many athletes that dream of competing in the olympics, and striking gold their entire lives, but are stopped in their tracks as many obstacles and hardships intervene with their lives. Unfortunately, most athletes remain with this dream their whole lives, as few can turn a dream into reality and make it all the way to the olympics. This poem ties into my theme (the olympics) as there are many olympic hopefuls in the world who inspire young children to push themselves to become the best they are at everything, and show them that even if the journey to their ultimate goal may prove to be harder than others', no one should ever give up on their dreams, because who knows, one day it might just happen.

A World In Flames

Ah, the infamous olympic flame

Bright and bold, spirit never forgotten,
Close to our hearts, it inspires gold.

Around the world it travels, final destination awaits

Bringing unity not to a nation, but to the world.
Competition: it ignites an athlete’s dream.

A feeling indescribable, a spark in our eyes,

Believe: olympic dreams each day fulfilled,

Celebration from coast to coast.

Alive the spirit kept, a nation dressed in gold

Beyond the lighting cauldron, burning flame,

Could not a victory ever be foretold.

Ah, the infamous olympic flame
Bright and bold, spirit never forgotten,
Close to our hearts, it inspires gold.

By Mara A.

This is an example of an ABC poem. An ABC poem is made up of a series of lines that create a mood, picture, or feeling. Lines are made up of words and phrases. The first word of line one begins with an A, the first word of line two begins with a B etc. The way such a poem is written is left to the author's interpretation. It can be written in several ways; one way is my example (stanzas with three lines, each line starting with A, B and C in alphabetical order). Another example would be a poem with twenty-six lines, first line starting with an A, next line with a B, the line after with a C etc., and the last starting with a Z. A World In Flames is a poem which creates a mood, a picture AND a feeling. Through the use of adjectives, and literary devices, the mood may be described as being very light, almost dream-like. The picture this poem creates is that of a burning flame, which never ceases burn out; a flame which inspires people and reminds them about the spirit of the olympics. The feeling this poem evokes is that of joy, and happiness and the sense of unity. It reminds us of how proud we should be of the athletes that have sacrificed so much on this journey towards fulfilling their olympic dreams, and how proud we should be of our country (Canada set many olympic records, as well as a record-setting 14 gold medals)! Some of the literary devices used in this poem are: alliteration (bright and bold; celebration from coast to coast), assonance (...it inspires...; ...final destination awaits bringing unity; competition it ignites; etc.), metaphors (it inspires gold; it ignites an athletes dream; etc), and many more. I wrote this poem to remind everyone of the symbolic meaning of the olympic flame and to corroborate my theme of the olympics.

Olympic Hymn

Olympian flame immortal

Whose beacon lights our way

Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope

On this momentous day

As now we come across the world

To share these Games of old

Let all the flags of every land

In brotherhood unfold

Sing out each nation, voices strong

Rise up in harmony

All hail our brave Olympians

With strains of victory

Olympic light burn on and on

O'er seas and mountains and plains

Unite, inspire, bring honor

To these ascending games

-author unknown

This poem is an example of an hymn. An hymn is type of poem, in the form of a song, usually a song of praise to God, to a Saint, or to a nation. In this case, the Olympic Hymn (the translated English version) is a song of praise to the entire world and its love of sports. This hymn evokes the spirit that the olympics bring to the entire world, as everyone unites as a whole to witness history being made and dreams being fulfilled. I chose this as one of my poems, as it ties in well with my theme for the calendar (the olympics). I made this my first poem because it follows the logical sequence of events in the olympics: it is the hymn sung at every opening ceremony of the olympic games. Some literary devices in this hymn are: assonance (as now we come across the world; in brotherhood unfold; unite, inspire, bring honour; etc), repetition (burn on and on; seas and mountains and plains), personification (olympic flame immortal), metaphors (whose beacon lights our way).