The Beautiful Game (Merry Christmas Dad)

sneakers squeak on slick hardwood reflecting
halogens overhead harsh glare. smell of sweat and
socks and shoes, soccer’s perfume on basketball courts
curly blond head floats amidst the D, bobs and weaves
in a crowded box, calls for the ball in to feet, twist, turns
away from traffic, watching, waiting for a
blindside run from the back, patience, just like in practice

curly blond bill Clinton hair tousled discretely
coach’s hands calloused by holding onto beliefs, by
a thousand hands shook. workingman’s coach teaching work
to a bunch of munchkin hooligans who just want
starbursts, or world cup, or anything but
drills and drills. drilling them in real skills
skulls filled with teamwork and respect

a thousand practices to teach a work ethic
that’s the tricky bit. taking tired little tykes
and making learning fun. class on the run
bonding exhausted little atoms into
a molecule of ferocious minnows. nibbling at
tidal waves until they grow up into
gators snapping on west side folks (7 to 7)

curly blond hair contained, headband and ponytail
eyes free to see the game. general overseeing the field
sweeper shouting commands, dominant, game in hand
playing his heart out for an audience of one. not concerned
with omission comes a mission, bitter fuel for teenage fission
belief stays strong, rooted in a rock in the stands, like feet
sunk in the sand. proving himself just because he can

transform practice lessons into a game changing man
a game can change a man, or a man can change a game
but at the end of the day its all the same. play for
love. of the game and what it means, of those who
taught you and the joy that it brings. no matter
the why or the where, when or the how
play the game for love or not at all

curly blond hair haloed on a Sunday morning, early
ball into space from the back. forward takes and attacks
overlap by the right back, laid off then quick, one two
true father son connection nearly telepathic so practiced
burst into the box, defense so static. one time sweeper
now scorer. assisted by a lifetime of lessons, dedication
dedicating every goal to the man who taught him to kick a ball.