Sound up and full screen. It will engulf and overwhelm you. Sheer flow made manifest in human form.
The young
In one another’s arms, birds in the trees,
—Those dying generations—at their song,
The salmon-falls, the mackerel-crowded seas,
Fish, flesh, or fowl, commend all summer long
Whatever is begotten, born, and dies.
Caught in that sensual music all neglect
Monuments of unageing intellect.
– Yeats
Defenseless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
— Auden
HT Ye Olde Bird Dog @ Maggies Farm
Gerard Van der Leun
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That was absolutely breathtaking. Rolled my eyes when I saw ice skaters…then I heard the leather creak.
Thanks for that, Gerard. It reminded me of the days when I was young and beautiful and athletic and talented.
Oh, who am I kidding? I may have been young once a very long time ago, but I was never that beautiful, athletic or talented. But every now and then, and in spite of the ample evidence to the contrary, I am heartened by today’s American youth.
Nice. But seemingly a little frantic, perhaps because of the song. In ice skating grace is everything.
Nice show, incredibly athletic. Yet, despite being on a well-lit arena wth no doubt music being played and a well placed cameraman, I counted about three people outside the rink. Daylight skies showing in the background. Was this shot at 5 AM on a Sunday?
Aw, c’mon Ghostsniper,
quit being such a contrarian. They aren’t dancing. No half naked ballerina, no guy in tights crashing on his triple axle (sp?). Pure speed figure skating! Something completely different, and Fun!
Amazing skating! And the camera work was as nearly amazing as the skating, moving around them and keeping them centered. That must have taken nearly as much practice as the skating routine.
Bravo to all involved.
They’re 16 & 18 yrs. old, respectively. Holy cow, what are the gonn’a be like in a couple more years!?
That rink is in Bryant Park, behind the NY Public Library, NYC. Not sure what year the vid is from, but that’s definitely Bryant Park.
Phenomenal performance.
best i ever saw was TORVIL & DEAN in the 84 olympics, bolero haunts me to this day, a totally stunning performance !!
Gawd Almighty, the way he holds her up with one arm at 3:10! What’s she weigh, 100 pounds minumum? (Remember we are ALL bigger than past averages). Get a 100 pound weight and try that sometime. Day-umm.
And yeah, camera guy is almost as impressive.
Heavy metal skating,wow. The Kids ARE Alright. Power and grace,just superb,all the way to the end.
Loved the quiet emptiness of the rink and surroundings;no people,no applause,just cold ice and colder tall buildings around them. It fit the song perfectly.
I too was reminded of Torvill & Dean’s stunning performance to “Bolero” at the ’84 Olympics. It seemed an odd choice of music at first,but they showed us how ice dancing is done.
As did the Brown siblings. Their future’s so bright,they better get shades.
I’ve been something of an ice dancing aficionado since Torvill and Dean’s Bolero in the ’84 Olympics. Then there was a lovely Canadian couple in the 90’s, Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz, who perfected the hydroblading move which is now practically a required element in competition. It’s a sort of a low-down, snake-bellied rotating extension – TMI? I’m just trying to not think about the demise of our republic, so please humor me.
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?
If grace and beauty is displayed in the city and life is absent, is it remembered?
Wow.
A marvel. Sibling smoothness and electricity. Human possibilities visible.