Hopes, Dreams and Medals, Aspiration, Dedication and Big Dreams

By Loretta Livingstone

This is my 2nd book. It's an unusual choice. And don't be misled. Yes, it IS about athletics and sporting events, but also about our hopes, dreams, aspirations. I hope that these poems would inspire non-sporty people to also reach for their dreams. It's about dedication, determination, and the will to succeed. That surely applies to any dream.

I got the bug for this topic when I was watching the world championships, in particular our great heptathletes, Jessica Ennis and Louise Hazell, but really all of our splendid athletes. I got to thinking about the dedication and discipline it takes to reach the top, and from there it was a short hop to writing about the big sporting events, and the emotions of everyone from the spectators, parents of the children in the opening ceremony, retired athletes, winners, losers, etc. I'm publishing this book in partnership with Nicola Louisa Sharp of Inspirational Photography, as many of my poems, which I hope will uplift and inspire you, are complemented by being printed on her beautiful pictures of cloud formations. Why clouds? Well to me that symbolises hopes and dreams. The pictures for the Ice and Fire part of the book are printed on fabulous snow scenes, photographed by my husband.This book has already been purchased by several professional athletes, and has been approved by Buckinghamshire County Council for inclusion in a local library. Please follow the link to our Facebook page, or to see a review. please see my website. By the way, whilst I love to share my work and I hope you enjoy reading it, please do bear in mind that everything I write is protected by copyright and may not be used without prior permission. This includes all photographic work.

I have added the words beside the smaller pictures, as those of you with older computers, or smaller screens may not be able to see the words clearly otherwise.

Well, would you believe anyone would/could write a book about big sporting events?

Would you believe

it could ever be done?

Can you conceive the idea?

Outrageous?

A bold stroke?

Sheer madness!

A good joke?

Well, guess what?

We did it!

It's here

© Loretta Livingstone 11/1/2012

This photo was provided for the book by Nicola Louisa Sharp

Here is another poem from my book. King of Speed, complete with fab snowy pic! Enjoy!

King of Speed

They call you

the King of Speed

You are the fastest

the most reckless

they know

You risk

everything

You hurtle down

mountains

at speeds

which defy reason

Faster and faster

wind in your face

adrenaline pumping

legs burning

You have medals

and you are

a champion

but it is about

more than that

For you

It's all about the thrill.

Words & image © Loretta Livingstone.

Well, we don't have to be serious and determined all of the time. Take a chuckle break!

Something to make you chuckle! How many of us ski like this?

Active-Passive Skier

I'm an active-passive skier

I watch you from my chair

Before the television

But it feels like I'm right there

I swerve around the slalom

Crouch, when you bend your knees

I'm getting quite a good technique

From practising at ease

I tumble when you tumble

But only in my mind

And when you make the fastest run

I'm never far behind

So when you win that medal

I think it's only fair

That you send me a copy

And I pin it to my chair!

Words & image © Loretta Livingstone

Please note, this gorgeous photograph is by Nicola Louisa Sharp, who provided many of the photographs for this book)

The Prize

They carry the hopes

and dreams

of our nation,

these young athletes.

Warriors!

True champions.

They set aside

everything

which would hold them back.

They press on,

determined to win.

The sacrifice

is nothing to them,

if it means

they achieve their goal.

But I, like them,

have a race to run.

A spiritual race.

I cannot win

an Earthly prize,

but I can win

a Heavenly crown!

1 Corinthians 9 v 24-25"

© Loretta Livingstone, Nicola Louisa Sharp

A bittersweet poem, happy memories for a retired ski jumper who knows they can never again compete, but doesn't regret a moment of it all

Ski Jump

You are held together

By metal screw and plate

Yet you do not regret the life

Which brought you to this fate

The passion that sustained you

The snow that set the pace

The wind, the speed that hurt you

When you launched out into space

Too damaged to compete now

But you would not replace

The life that gave you freedom

And brought you to this place

For oh, the mem'ries warm you

You never lose the thrill

And in your dreams you still compete

As you hurtle down that hill.

Words & Image © Loretta Livingstone

The beautiful photograph with this poem was taken by Nicola Louisa Sharp, who contributed many of the photographs used in this book

Uproar!

Roaring and screaming

Noise all around

Stomping and clapping

A torrent of sound

Thronging and hugging

Tears on my face

One of our athletes

Has taken first place!

© Loretta Livingstone, Nicola Louisa Sharp.

Most of my poems concentrate on the triumphs of these competitions. But let's be realistic. You can't win all the time. For every winner there are losers. So let's spare them a thought too.

These young athletes train hard, they have a huge dream. Maybe your dream isn't about athletics, but when you really have a dream you have to go for it. Keep your goal in sight, never give up.

Again, the photograph is by the very talented Nicola Louisa Sharp, as featured above.

I would love it if you would tell me which of the poems featured here you enjoyed the most.

UPDATE: I have now added two more above, but their buttons are at the very bottom of this list after my least favourite option.

Wow! Something very exciting has happened. Somebody who read this book got in touch with me towards the end of May this year, to ask me to write an exclusive poem for a film he was going to produce about athletes and sportspeople! I am hugely excited. If you want to know more, please check out the video.

Yes, that 's me. I hope you enjoy these poems chosen from my book

I'm excited to say I now have an Author Profile on Goodreads, where I write a blog. Please come visit me there, I'd love to meet you.

And now you've read some of the poems, why not take the book quiz? You don't have to be a Goodreads member, anyone can play. If you don't know the answers just take a wild guess, it's just for fun.

Goodreads Quiz

Hopes, Dreams and Medals

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6 questions

take quiz

Sometimes it's good to read books by people who have successfully followed their dreams. Maybe some of these books will inspire you. I also thought the book about Bobsledding looked really interesting. I'm pretty interested in Bobsledding and some of the poems in my book reflect that.

Are you going to be spending time in Russia for either of these events?

Jumping in the Puddles of Life

Book arrived this morning thankyou! I've really enjoyed reading it, so many lovely poems.Sisters struck a cord with me,being an only child.X

M.S.

Got your Jumping in the Puddles of Life, thankyou! Have read a couple of times and here are my favourites: Still There, The Grudge - very good, almost Alice In Wonderlandish, almost seemed to have feet and legs, and there's a definite "moral" there. I like Sometimes as well - that's just what I do! When we just sit or lie back in his presence and focus on him and start singing (in my case), the tears come down and then the praise! Fire Extinguisher, good with depth. On Being Different - daft but funny and a bit of a moral there too - poor you! That List !!! - Love this one - can just picture it!!! Yahweh Shammah - Love this one. The Automated Helpline! Very good - can really relate to this too. And Fatherhood God's Way.

C.A.

I read all your poems in between jobs. Wow ! they are great some I smiled at, some I laughed at, some I just had to read to my aunt sitting at the table with me. Others I felt touched by your faith and mine. It was good light hearted reading that I could identify with in different parts of my life as well. I love the use of photography images in your other book.

H.S.

Here are a few of my reviews:

This book of poems by Loretta Livingstone is awesome! She puts you right in the thick of the emotions that could be felt during the Olympics. You can feel the rush of excitement, challenges, highs and lows and anticipation of the athletes competing. You understand just how proud family and friends are of the athletes they are cheering on. You can sense the atmosphere of the crowds routing for their country to take first place. And get a chill from her description of the cold blustery weather everyone endured just so they could be part of this historic event. The photos (by Nicola Sharp) are gorgeous and a wonderful accompaniment to the beautiful poems and complete this book. I found this book inspiring, motivational and moving and would highly recommend it. Loretta you have a great heart and spirit. God bless you for writing it - loved it!!!

E.H. (USA)

Loretta has got a unique way with words, and of looking at the world, which makes this book a must read. She will make you smile and make you think, so if you haven't read any of her poetry, I suggest you start. Right Now.

E. (UK)