Eyewear's belief in the 2012 London Olympics has been totally vindicated, not least by Jonathan Freedland and Blake Morrison, both writing lyrically in today's Guardian. One of the greatest games ever held - and surely the fairest, with no teams boycotting and women represented as never before - it has showcased a bold, lively, upbeat, good Britain - filled with enthusiastic, celebratory people able to enjoy the successes of themselves and others. The nay-sayers are wrong about the Olympics, and always were - its ideals are real, as are its golden gifts. The Games inspire and reveal the best of ourselves - as competitors, as hosts and as audience. I am proud to live in London, and to be on track to get British citizenship. I have lived in London for 9 years now, and am happy to be here. British people, too often sold short by their media and their bankers and their politicians - have risen to the occasion, and vaulted over the establishment to make this a People's Games. The best of Britain is in its creativity, energy, sense of humour and fair play - and yes, its patriotism, its emotionality. Forget the stiff upper lip nonsense. The British laugh and cry with the best of them - we've seen it on the podiums. The British are human, wonderfully so, and, for the most part, wonderful. This Games has been one of the greatest moments of my life - for I have seen my new home come alive, as it does on hot sunny days, and also on days when snow falls enough to make snowmen. Long may we remember how good we can be, how joyous, how proud, how modest, how welcoming. How golden, and yes, sylvan, and bronzed.
A poem for my mother, July 15 When she was dying And I was in a different country I dreamt I was there with her Flying over the ocean very quickly, And arriving in the room like a dream And I was a dream, but the meaning was more Than a dream has – it was a moving over time And land, over water, to get love across Fast enough, to be there, before she died, To lean over the small, huddled figure, In the dark, and without bothering her Even with apologies, and be a kiss in the air, A dream of a kiss, or even less, the thought of one, And when I woke, none of this had happened, She was still far distant, and we had not spoken.
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