Firstly, my thanks to OZ for awarding me the crown of olives in the last pome competition. My congratulations to all the other entrants for their splendid and, as Oz says, varied takes on his topic. I feel sure that I am speaking for Aunties Ara and Bilby when I say that we can all be grateful that Ethel appears to have been satisfied, albeit possibly only temporarily, by our offerings on the altar of Art.
You all know what’s coming next, topic-wise.
It is clear to me that the forthcoming celebration of sporting excellence in London does not exactly unite the Charioteers in unreserved anticipation and approbation.
Please delete as appropriate:-
I am eagerly looking forward to the next few weeks with every fibre of my being/I always enjoy the Olympics/I suppose it’s quite nice that we’re hosting and might watch some of it/ I am not that bothered one way or the other/I believe the entire farce to be a complete waste of time and money/Everybody involved should be put up against the nearest wall and shot (© Jeremy Paxman)/other.
I look forward to composing a paean of praise to those magnificent athletes who will be gracing our Capital with their presence/a gentle Betjeman-like commentary on the whole thing/a non-committal but poetic comment/a heartfelt cry on the futility and waste of it all/ a scream of rage/other.
For the avoidance of doubt, the topic is ‘The Olympics’. All takes thereon and all poetic forms allowed. If CO feels like joining in, given the subect, I would be honoured as her best rants have always been regarded by me as being free verse of the highest standard.
Since Pseu’s deadline is 1st August, I’ll go a week later. Midnight (wherever) on 8th August, when there will only be four days left before the circus moves on.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Ethel seems to exert a rather sinister influence over this site, but I understand why, so I will dutifully try to placate the wannabe poetess with some sort of offering before the deadline.
I am torn between a vague hope that we Brits will muddle though, or we will be so traumatised by the whole affair that we will vanish from Europe, the World, or possibly the Universe: only time will tell!
I hope there will also be a category for the temperamentally detached too. Mrs J asked, “Olympic what?”
A ‘passing’ thought: https://charioteers.org/2012/07/18/an-olympic-anthem/
A little rant can be found here
OZ
My meagre effort is here
https://charioteers.org/2012/07/20/my-olympic-pome/
Another one: https://charioteers.org/2012/07/21/a-paean-for-london-2012/
A League three effort. Be kind to me.
https://charioteers.org/2012/08/06/the-stasi-years/
And one from PapaG
https://charioteers.org/2012/08/07/citius-altius-fortius/
Soutie, thanks – you just beat me to it. I will know next time!
And hopefully a re-hash here:
Here’s PapaG’s ‘re-jig’
https://charioteers.org/2012/08/08/citius-altius-fortius-take-two/
In haste.
https://charioteers.org/2012/08/08/what-daffodils-for-mr-mackie/