Congratulations to Renate Linnenkoper, winner of the "Johnny Weir: Poetry on Ice" contest! Over 100 poems were submitted for the contest, and Johnny selected Renate's poem from the 21 poems that made it through the first round of judging.
In addition to the Top 21 poems that advanced, Johnny also attempted to read through all of the foreign language poems that were submitted. He would have liked to consider all of them for the contest, but he was on a hotel computer and could not get all of the Russian characters to show up correctly on the computer. To all of his Russian fans: "thank you and I'm sorry it wouldn't work!"
Here is Renate's winning entry, along with the rest of Johnny's Top 6 poems plus honorable mention.
Thank you, everyone, for making this contest such a success!
Winner: Renate Linnenkoper, The Netherlands
The silver mist embraces the moon
Offering shelter to those that come soon
The twinkling stars and twilight glow
Caress the surface of the ice below
And on that ice, a figure stands
His face framed by raven strands
His visage adorned by hazel eyes
Reminiscent of lover's feverish goodbyes
With swanlike elegance he has flown
Into a world entirely his own
Where beauty and love are the order of the day
And not foreign whispers that tell us what to say
He utters a word and all is still
His speech thought poison with eloquent skill
His life a puzzle they wish to unravel
His art not part of their venomous scandal
Fragile he seems to ignorant eyes
He is refulgent and strong like a sunrise
We watch the story he has chosen to tell
In which we secretly relish to dwell
2nd: Pamela McKay, USA
An indifferent glance arrests the apathetic eye
Stills the senses and penetrates the heart
A musical vision, pure and athletically refined
A beauty, unconventionally set apart
He seems to skate in his own private sphere
A closed enigma, lowered lashes, youthful face
Yet his eyes let us in to his ethereal domain
Of sweet sorrow and gently masculine grace
Commentators rave of his "kindness to the ice"
Extol his "ride out" and extraordinary "knee"
But words only capture technique and physique
Our spirits savor rare artistry
3rd: Lori Cunningham, USA
Keeper of my love
Athlete and artist forged into one
Most perfect union of strength and style under the sun
He glides across the ice so elegantly through space
Body fabulously adorned with feathers and lace
Like an angel twirling down from heaven's bed
A halo of sunglasses perched upon his sweet head
Smoldering green eyes with a sun-kissed face
A dirrty charm and spiritual red bracelet add grace
Breathtakingly beautiful in every way
The truth spoken from his lips always brightens my day
Words full of candor and meaning do hold
Uttered eloquently from this one so bold
Intoxicated with the cognac poured from his dance
To watch so lovely a swan, I am blessed with this chance
As Otonal icicles spin and jump in my head
I feel my heart swoon as my soul is fed
From riding the shadow of a childhood gone by
Now honored and exalted on a podium held high
Gold medals upon his neck earned though skill and power
He has blossomed into the prettiest flower
On the happiness you give, I do reflect
Returned is this angel's adoration and respect
For the man who dons one glorious glove
To Johnny, the keeper of my love
4th: Hila Benyovits, Israel
A Tribute to Johnny Weir in Iambic (AKA: Because You Make Us Happy)
A poem for you? Ridiculous. What words
Could capture the true essence of your art?
The commentators watching you at Worlds,
Seem overwhelmed before you even start.
They've seen you skate before, they know you well -
Their voices show such reverence when they speak,
The ice will soon surrender to your spell -
"Watch closely," they say, "This one is unique!"
When they saw last year's marks, they scoffed the judges
To some of them they may still hold some grudges...
Now I can't skate, and must confess - for shame! -
That I can't tell a Salchow from a Loop
But talent, skill, and passion lit a flame
In those cold places where my heart once drooped.
The courage and the honesty you show
Are an enchanted source of inspiration
And whether on or off the ice, we know
Your message is: Your life is your creation.
And this is why we see you as a star;
It's not just what you do - it's who you are.
5th: Evie Goode, USA
Grace and beauty combined as one,
Moving to the music and word,
A true artist among the masses,
Never afraid to say what's unheard.
Honesty today is long forgotten,
Speaking your mind is taboo these days,
Silenced by close minded press,
Because he speaks what they're afraid to say.
A quick wit to match today's world,
Where being headstrong is needed,
Misconstrued by close minded people,
As a diva, pompous or conceited.
Gliding across the glassy ice,
The rhythm and emotion in sync,
Stirring and inspiring all who watch,
Every being in and out of the rink.
Outrageous, and outspoken its true,
With a wild flair for fashion,
More than that, a real person,
Trying to live life with heart and passion.
People can have such audacity to judge,
With them it's win or be criticized,
True success comes from the soul,
All that matters is if a man tries.
How many medals did they bring home?
Al least he had the courage to compete,
Those words he can use as ammunition to train,
There's no word he hates more than defeat.
Never in my mind could he be a disgrace,
For an important lesson he's taught me,
Give it your all and don't give up,
I'm so proud he represented our country.
6th: Sandra Bore, France
Instant d'éternité
Quand tu prends ton envol
De plumes costumé
Et que tu tourbillonnes
Par tes ailes emporté
Caressant la surface
D'immenses lacs gelés
Tel un cygne majestueux
De puissance et de grâce
Elégance et fraîcheur
Qui enflamment la glace
Tous les anges dans les cieux
S'inclinent pour te saluer
Toi qui remplis l'espace
D'un souffle de volupté
Et quand revient l'automne
Par ton âme sublimé
Le temps suspend son vol
Instant d'éternité
HM: Kaysha, Russia
Uvajaemyi Vanya Plotinin,
Razreshite priznatsya v lubvi,
Mi sideli za vas i "boleli",
Vplot' do nashei moskovskoi zari
Kulaki mi na schastie derjali,
I stuchali serdtsa v unison..
Pozabiv pro uchebu, rabotu,
Pro domashnih jivotnih i son!
Ne nujni nam pobedi, medali,
Pust' lish prosto kataetsya on...
Ved' dlya nas - eto iskrenne skajem:
Milyi Vanya VSEGDA CHEMPION! |
