A manager
A team
A City
A fan
A dream

A league of old men
A collective of the duly elected
A media fixated on the win

A lot of money

Cold, a night in which there is nary a soul
The wood cracks and shatters
on any hit ball...
the visitors come dressed as wolves
cameras film, those there shiver
some nights the ***** would swim in the river
The score 23-2 at that point, why bother?

I'm talking of a body
expensive, unpleasant, obsessed with dreams of grandeur
talking heads with nothing in them
children in uniform, adult bodies
"I deserve money." - the players
"Stats mean nothing, it's all about heart." - a manager
"Come on coach, give him the start." - a father mouths vicariously

I'm talking of the part nobody sees...
"What if you make money?"
expensive, unpleasant, obsessed with policy
certainly not the reception you were expecting
it's just the City.

"Show me the return,
I expect to see,
before I give you anything." - some in the business community.


So many quotes, too many for me, people well meaning
but distant, don't get too comfy, the team had to move
and begin all over, ended with a whimper, a seizure, a flop,
no majesty.

I look over my shoulder at an old man
It was me at age 23
it nearly brought about my end.
I'm just so glad.
This was my dream,
and a great way to spend time with my Dad.
It was 6 years of history, it wasn't all bad.


http://www.robross.ca