January 4, 2004

THE Special Olympics was founded in 1968 in America by Mrs Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Today, it provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to more than one million people with mental retardation in more than 150 countries. This past summer, for the first time in its history, the Special Olympics World Games were held outside of the United States in Ireland. With 7,000 athletes, including Pakitanis taking part, it was the largest sporting event in the world this year.

Colorbooks Limited, Dublin has published a compilation of poems written by pupils from eight different Balbriggan, Ireland schools in celebration of Pakistan’s participation in the games. Entitled Not So Different: An Anthology of Poems, the collection is a tribute to the Pakistani athletes who represented our nation in this past summer’s Special Olympics.

There are a variety of themes running through this book. Some poems explore what makes the games or people “special”, others examine the concept of globalization and others simply have fun with the theme. However, all poems are rooted in the common bonds we share and the universal need to be accepted. Hence the title, Not So Different.

The poems are all approximately one to three paragraphs long, and although exploring a similar landscape they are impressively distinctive because each writer’s voice is unique and each poem’s rhythm and pace different. Some of the more notable examples are mentioned below.

“Everyone is special” by Aaron McElroy not only geared up the athletes for competition but reminded readers that the games above all else should be fun. It reads:

“Everyone is special/ In their own way./ The Special Olympics is coming/ To show a huge display/ Lots of different games/ Medals will be won/ Making us happy/ Having lots of fun”.

Andrew Elliot, on the other hand, in his poem “I want to fly” focuses on the “special” qualities of the athletes. He writes so touchingly: “I can hear but maybe you can’t/ I want to fly, maybe you do too”. This recognition that there are all types of people in this world, but at heart, we are all the same is highlighted throughout the anthology.

There are also some memorable moments of wit and cheek in Not So Different. Gregory Tracy in particular best captures the fun of the games with his words, “High jump, long jump and running fast/ You won’t win a medal, if you come in last.”

Similarly, Niall McGovern tongue-in-cheek explores the fears all athletes share: “Fast, slow, slow, fast is the way we go/ You think, think stop. The tummy wobbles/ Let the legs go.” McGovern’s use of beat and strong rhythmic metre here is far beyond his young years.

However, it is “One of us” by Louise Tracey that most exemplifies the tone and feel of the collection. Short and sweet, it reads: “Everyone is different/ In lots of different ways/ I’m different to you/ And you are different to me/ Just because you are different on the outside/ Doesn’t mean you’re not one of us.”

A wonderful concept as well as an effective fundraiser, Not So Different is a great achievement for the students who wrote these poems as well as the global vision of the Special Olympics. As young poet Katie O’Reilly writes, “The only reason they are called the Special Olympics, is because the people you compete are so special.”

It is heartening to see Pakistan and Pakistanis having a recognized role with this impressive charitable association. With the upcoming Special Olympics Ball, hopefully there will be more interaction and participation with our nation and this esteemed organization.

 

Not So Different: An Anthology of Poems

Edited by Enda Wyley

The Special Olympics World Games, Ireland and The Balbriggan Schools’ Project Email contact: ronak@cyber.net.pk

216pp. Price not listed

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