East and West

Your genial host has spared no effort whatever
to amaze you with a kalaidescopic display
of delightful fireworks. The lovely, light
voices of a girls' choir lifted in the ecstasy
of music performed with precision and grace
could not fail to please, nor the beauty and
infinite loveliness of motion that dancers
engaged with, dazzling the audience with a
vision of perfection. The smiles and applause
swept over the stage like a fountain of sheer
happiness prepared to move from the opening
stages of the Winter Olympics to its global
challenges with the triumphant entries of
worldwide contestants whose enterprise and
qualities of strength, endurance and natural
gifts as athletes engaged, distracted and enthused.
Days of endless suspense and demonstrations
of athletic prowess culminated the years-long
process of exercise and endless practice to
the strains of national anthems and pride.
Your genial hosts have succeeded in their
mandate to provide the world with the spectacle
of excellence, the marvels of the human spirit
the gifts of nature's endowment to the few
that please the many. Your introduction to
this culture hosting these events was singular
was it not? Enjoying the opportunity to praise
and appreciate, did you notice the markets in
passing, where dogs of various breeds are
sold for slaughter? Did you ask in the varied
restaurants proud to serve you in this place
of exuberant future memories what constituted
the ingredients of the soups and stews served?
Are you eager now to return home to embrace
your loved ones and reunite with your well
loved and anxious companion dog you know
agonized over your mysterious absence?