Holders of Gold

A tribute to Torvill and Dean, Olympic Gold Medallists in Ice Dancing in 1984, still performing for tv audiences today.

Ravel's Bolero with its drum beat 

repetition evokes memories of a

composition in classical seduction

where carbon steel blades glide on

rink's glassy surface, perfectly

choreographed polished moves

romantic overtures leaving an

audience spellbound as skaters

skillfully perform in dip-dyed silk

caught in classy dance artistry,

purple chiffon, a love affair worthy

of a bard's starry eyed lovers

spins, arabesques, lifts and lithe

bodies end in collapsed breathless

finale to ovation's loud applause

fast forward three decades where

Olympic gold holders, boldy travel

to Alaska for need of final dream

where in a wilderness of winter

whiteness they recreate on a lake

frozen over, past nostalgic magic

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

one of my fav things to watch in the winter Olympics ....skaters are so graceful.. and to the Bolero music, even more dreamy....flow in the gentle breeze off the ice to reveal idyllic bodies with muscular legs doing what they know best; costumes of soft hues like veils shrouding them. Soft and lovely words.
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. I love watching the skaters, particularly this couple when they were at their best. Really appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

The imagery you employ in this one is stunning, Chris. I could picture the purple chiffon flowing around the legs of a skater and touching the head of another skater as she is lifted. I enjoy watching ice skating in the Olympics....and your words do the sport justice. It is indeed an art. Beautifully written. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Thankyou Lydi** for this lovely review. Keep safe and well.

Chris

[Tepo]

What a memory to evoke
I watched it live
Sarajevo if I remember rightly
Thank you for this one
Written with the grace of the routine and colour of the outfits
Enjoyed

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tepo. So pleased you remember this masterclass in ice dance pairs. Appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Pete]

well this tied my laces. an enjoyable axle and lutz, refreshingly different. this brought back many memories of youth on the pond (playing hockey) and watching on tv. good pairs skating can be very mesmerizing and seductive. good write chris. thanks for the winter escape ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Pete. What fun you must have had playing ice hockey. Really appreciate your lovely review.read moreThanks Pete. What fun you must have had playing ice hockey. Really appreciate your lovely review.

Chris

[poetgurl (Plainly Meg)]

I never really got into skating, but I enjoy watching. This is wonderful

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ang-X. That gold medal performance was unforgettable. Perfects scores. Appreciate you checking in.

Chris

[Dave]

Christine
This is one of my favorite pieces of music. I'm terrible at remembering names, but surely you must have seen the two Canadian Olympians dancing to the Bolero. You describe, so beautifully in words, what I saw then do on ice. Magnificant.
Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. Bolero is a fantastic piece of music to skate to. An Olympic performance not forgotten by Torvill and Dean from GBR. Appreciate your review. Take care now.

Chris

[Dave]

Fantastic performance!

[Stella Armour]

it's just magical to watch them do this all over again all these years on ( is it really 30 ? wow).
Ravel's Bolero will never be heard again without the images of these two skating in a kind of dream world..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. Yes, quite a performance back in 1984. Not one to forget. Appreciate you checking in.

Chris

[Gee]

Good morning Christine.
That music must have been the most easily recognised piece for many a year after their performances, which, I've got to say, near matched my own when as a child when I used to skate on the oft frozen Flitwick manor pond :))
Hope you are all keeping well m'dear

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Gee, thanks for checking in and making me smile. I remember skating on the river Gade when I was about 12 when it froze over. Can remember feeling quite bruised afterwards :) All reasonable here in hibernation. Trust you and yours are OK. Take care.

Chris

[barleygirl]

Figure skating is the only sport I have ever followed. I am in awe of how many well-known skaters draw fans for decades beyond their youthful Olympic dreams. Your poem takes in all the magic of the sport, from the way we fascinate on that blade slicing along ice, to details of the dress as part of the artistic storytelling, to the inevitable magic of attraction between two painting love scenes with their forms. You pulled it all together for those not as familiar with the sport & all there is to watch for! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for stopping by Margie to check this little tribute out. Their performance was truly unforgettable and gives me goose bumps whenever I watch it again.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you brought it back to me in vivid fashion...I saw them skate to Bolero in 1984...
so amazing...and yes the chemistry and precision is still there.
Nice to have some GOOD memories to hold onto...this poem made me smile...thanks, Chris, I needed that.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased you remember their performance Jacob. Such a polished and classy act. I think it's wonderful that they are still skating together after all these years. Thank you for checking in.

Chris