Poetic Recaps
by Michele Kevany
The three paddled off to a challange one last time
This final Immunity will put all the marbles on the line
Jeff said "come on in guys" and they docked the canoe
Their host then explained what they'll be required to do
Three bobbing buoys each had a disc on which to stand
While grasping a pole they'll stand as long as they can
They cannot touch the buoy or use the disc as a seat
Also, said Jeff, they'll endure the challange in bare feet
The one claiming the necklace will then get to decide
Which of two tribemates they would like to sit beside
Atop a small metal disc the survivors took a stance
A pole would provide balance to better their chance
Jeff inquired of Ian "do you think this will go awhile?"
Ian, Katie and Tom each felt they were in for a trial
Jeff added "I take it nobody will willingly step down"
He said it was obvious there was no trust to be found
Jeff asked Katie what she was thinking at one hour in
She said it "would be nice" to score an Immunity win
Asking Ian the same, he said "last night was rough"
He told Jeff that he was "thinking about alot of stuff"
At two hours three minutes the wind started to blow
The buoys bent sideways with their occupants in tow
Just after three hours Jeff said "here comes the rain"
He asked Tom if the soaking may prove to be a bane
Tom said it wasn't "as difficult as the sun would be"
A Palauan rain fell down on the steadfast final three
At four hours Jeff asked Katie if Immunity she'll take
Katie said she might "if someone makes a mistake"
Jeff asked Ian if he felt confident in outlasting the rest
Adding "anything can happen", his answer was "yes"
Fifty one minutes later Katie said "good luck you guys"
After nearly five hours she gave up the Immunity prize
Jeff asked "what's hurting?" to Tom, who wore a frown
Tom replied "everything's numb from the knees down"
To the same question Ian answered "I feel pretty good"
He appeared comfortable on the disc where he stood
The two men held tight as the sixth hour drew near
Just after seven hours Katie took a nap on the pier
After eight hours eleven minutes Jeff was "amazed"
He said there'd been no deals or promissary displays
So Tom told Ian if he wins Immunity he's taking Katie
Yet if Ian were to step down, he'd be Tom's first matey
Ian said "I won't step off", prolonging this test of wills
Tom said to employ "your persuasive language skills"
Ian served the ball back to Tom, asking him to retire
Tom only laughed, since he now viewed Ian as a liar
He told Ian a deal between them should be arranged
Saying "one hundred thousand" is no "chump change"
Ian said Tom had wanted to "duke it out" for "final two"
He added "if I don't step down, I'm going to beat you"
Tom told Ian "that's why I can't...and won't step down"
The two men were determined to stand their ground
A few hours later and they were in the dark of night
Neither Tom nor Ian was ready to give up the fight
After eleven hours and forty five minutes, Ian spoke
Tom and Jeff perked up their ears while Katie awoke
Ian determinedly told them he'd reached a conclusion
After "an interesting day" he had arrived at a solution
Ian said he would step down, attaching one condition
Of his request Tom had no trouble granting permission
In a bid to win Tom and Katie's respect and friendship
If Tom agreed to take Katie to the final, he'd take a dip
Jeff repeated Ian request to be sure he'd heard it right
To win back their friendship he'd willingly call it a night
Tom, surprised as well, asked of Ian "you'd do that?"
Ian saying "yes" made Katie smile like a Cheshire cat
He wished to relinquish his game and all that entailed
And hand it to Katie, who ten hours eariler had bailed
Ian felt he had dug himself an ever deepening crater
He believed to his true intentions he'd been a traitor
Jeff asked of Tom if Ian's negotiation would succeed
Saying "without a doubt", Ian's deal Tom would heed
Tom added his friendship Ian would never have lacked
But with this gesture he now "wins my respect back"
With his stipulation accepted, Ian made one final dive
When he reached the pier, Katie gave him a high five
Ian got a hug as well for the million dollar opportunity
Tom offered a hug, but Ian pushed him into the sea
He climbed on the pier and Jeff placed the necklace
Jeff added that "nobody would have predicted this"
He asked Tom if Tribal "should be held right now"
They were anxious to end day thirty eight in Palau
Tom said first he needed to ask Ian "one more time"
If taking Katie to the finals is what Ian had in mind
After twelve hours they were "punchy and delirious"
Ian reaffirmed his deal, telling Tom he was serious
Jeff told Tom he had no parchment on which to write
Asking "who are you voting out of this game tonight?"
"My buddy Ian" said Tom, casting a lone "verbal vote"
With no torch to snuff, Ian would simply board a boat
Jeff told Ian he was the "sixteenth person voted out"
Standing tall, Ian would leave with a heart most stout
The final two boarded the canoe and paddled to Koror
They will spend one last night on their Palauan shore
Tom and Katie greeted day thirty nine with jubilation
Along with the joy, they were in thoughtful rumination
Tom considered Katie "so likeable", as might the jury
Thinking "they" may be sick of him was cause to worry
The jury may have had their fill of his Immunity necklace
Katie's skating being rewarded was on Tom's checklist
He said "I'm numb right now" about his final two position
It was "bittersweet" having their journey reach it's fruition
Tom viewed camp Koror, their home from nearly the start
With a "lump in our throat", he stated they'd take it apart
Katie and Tom began to assemble a "celebratory bonfire"
The had plenty of the materials this ritual would require
They rolled the Koror "family" picnic table onto the blaze
Tom and Katie both reflected on the last thirty nine days
Katie stated her stratgey had differed from Tom's game
Still she felt she had played "just as hard" all the same
A threatening "scary beast" Katie felt lived "inside Tom"
What "he's been up to" Katie said she'd fill the jury in on
She planned on being "candid" about the "steps he took"
Hoping to remind them things aren't always as they look
The two packed up their bags and bid farewell to Palau
As they paddled off Tom said "the rats get it back now"
The final two survivors headed to Tribal for one last visit
They will soon be leaving these islands most exquisite
Katie felt proud for how she played and "getting through"
She now hoped the jury would be able to appreciate it too
Tom said there'd be no more "treachery" or "sugar coating"
There was no longer a reason for any half-truthful emoting
Everything he'd done had earned him thirty nine day's time
Of the seven, Tom said "it's in their hands now, not mine"
They arrived at Tribal Council after the Palaun sun had set
When it's over, a million dollars either Tom or Katie will get
Jeff welcomed the final two, then asked the jury to enter in
Coby, Janu, Stephanie and Gregg, Caryn, Jennifer and Ian
Jeff said they'd proceed with an "opening statement" first
After a day to mull it over, Tom and Katie were rehearsed
Jeff directed Tom to articulate his opening proclamation
Tom knew each word would impact his overall evaluation
He said it was an "honor" to sit before his tribal "family"
Tom told them not one deserved the seat less than he
He then mentioned he'd played hard and tried to provide
Adding "never had a nasty word" for anyone in the tribe
It was a "humbling" experience, his time on the beach
For having lived it with him, Tom said he cherished each
Jeff asked for Katie's statement and without reservation
She told the jury her game was about "self-preservation"
As to Tom, she hadn't a prayer, comparatively speaking
Yet it takes more than muscle if a million you're seeking
Katie admitted she skated, it was exactly what she did
In doing so, she had secured herself a prize winning bid
For the ones she had hurt, Katie hoped to be acquitted
She ended by saying that she had "definately outwitted"
Now, Jeff said, it was time for the questions to be heard
The final two sat poised to deliver every calculated word
Jeff had Coby step forward and he led off the inquisition
Saying his "issues" had given him a serious disposition
He told Katie that if he happens to write down her name
It won't be a nod of approval for having played the game
Saying she only helped out if there was coconut to stir
His vote would be against Tom and not in favor of her
Coby next addressed Tom, saying he had played dirty
In his opinion, Tom's "dance around" feet were sturdy
He cited a "badge of courage" Tom had liked to wave
To Coby, a look of assured bewilderment Tom gave
Coby said it was "truth" that night he'd be looking for
He sat down and continued the eye rolling as before
Gregg followed, reminding Tom of a deal they'd made
When they were at "seven", his game Gregg "saved"
The plan had been to stay intact, to perserve the "five"
Tom had been a target, yet Gregg had kept him alive
They had agreed not to vote off a member of their own
Yet when the tribe was at six, he had been sent home
Cleary Gregg's opinion of Tom was that of a turncoat
He asked Tom for a reason he should send him a vote
Tom said he was informed he stood atop Gregg's list
So any chance to take him out was not to be missed
Gregg asked Tom if he regretted plotting his demise
Answering yes, he felt his choice's had been unwise
Gregg shifted his focus to Katie, who broadly smiled
It was soon apparent that Gregg wouldn't be beguiled
Regarding camp chores, she'd been a non-participant
Her performance in challanges had been "insignificant"
She'd made fun of nearly everyone seated behind him
Therefore how, Gregg asked, could she deserve to win
Kaite responded "wow Gregg" in a voice that quavered
She tearfully said from her strategy she never wavered
Steph followed Gregg and it was with Tom she started
She told Tom she felt his efforts had been half-hearted
Tom had said he would take her "as far" as he could
Steph wondered if perhaps he'd been misunderstood
She said it did not seem he'd put up much of a fight
Tom told Stephanie that her perception was not right
He said he had fought, their alliance held no pretense
Yet to reveal himself and not save her made no sense
Steph asked Katie why she's earned a vote over Tom
Katie said Tom planned to oust "Steph or Bobby Jon"
Whichever Ulong tribemate ended up at camp Koror
Before anyone, they'd promptly be shown the door
Tom said that Steph had been "an ace in the hole"
Voting her off would have played against his goal
In response to Katie's words, Tom shook his head
Katie adamantly repeated it was what he had said
Janu stood next, her curly mane blowing in the wind
She decided a question for Tom was how she'd begin
Janu wondered if it had been hard to maintain integrity
Tom said he choose where that line to draw would be
He felt he had played with as much honor as he could
Janu gave Tom a smile, deeming his answer as good
She turned her attention to Katie and made a request
By the look on their faces, this would be no love fest
As to the way she played, Janu wanted Katie to give
Three adjectives describing the positive and negative
Katie dismissed Janu, she sent no answers her way
She felt it pointless and therefore had nothing to say
Next came Caryn, whose first question was for Tom
She asked him if she'd been a friend or merely a pawn
Tom told Caryn he had allowed himself to be deceived
Her "stirring up a hornet's nest" is what he had believed
She asked if it had been genuine friendship on his part
Tom told Caryn to find the answer within her own heart
Caryn told Katie she'd been "phony, lazy and unkind"
As with Janu, Katie nonchalantly paid Caryn no mind
Along with slacking, she said Katie betrayed her too
Why then, Caryn asked her, "should I vote for you"
Katie said there was nothing she wished to reveal
Because either way "it won't change how you feel"
Katie did tell Caryn that she too had blame to bear
Her failure to form an alliance gave her a juror's chair
Jen followed with an opinion of Tom that was specific
She said Tom's attitude toward her was "chauvinistic"
Jen felt he had disrespected and discounted her game
He said she'd kept it hidden, so how was he to blame
Tom told her he respected it on day thirty seven's eve
She had capitalized on Ian's plan to give him the heave
Jen then asked of Katie had she been strong or weak
Katie acknowledged her performance overall was bleak
She said perhaps then she should be viewed as strong
It was a testament to her that she had lasted this long
Ian followed, he was the last jury member to be heard
He asked both why the million they did NOT deserve
Katie said if it were based on her skill at being funny
Then she most definitely did not deserve the money
Tom did not hesitate to offer up what he had to say
Feeling "compensated", he already had his "payday"
With the questions now asked, Jeff then told the two
A "closing statement" would be the last thing they do
Tom said he'd pondered a persona with which to play
But they'd "met Tom Westman" each and every day
He said he had hurt some people amid the dealings
Still he would leave the game with "no hard feelings"
Katie finished up, saying "I'm sorry if I have hurt you"
She'd come in "with a plan" and had seen it through
Asking for "a chance", Katie earnestly pled her case
She said she'd be leaving with her self-respect in place
The statements were made, it was the moment of truth
One by one, Jeff sent a jury member to the voting booth
The names were cast, however they would not be read
As usual, they will be revealed on the live show instead
Since Australia, this was Jeff's speediest transition yet
In no time he walked onto Letterman's "Late Night" set
Carrying the urn, Jeff stepped onto the Tribal replication
Tom and Katie anxiously awaited the urn's information
Jeff announced the player who had the most votes cast
The one who did the best to outwit, outplay and outlast
This "Soul Survivor" six tribemates agreed upon
The winner of "Survivor Palau" was Tom!
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