Friday, October 19, 2012

Friday Night Sights (and Sounds and Smells and Memories)

Friday Night
Fans emerge from pick-ups and minivans.
Expectantly.
Doors Slam. Horns Honk.
A crowd gathers, builds,
Solidarity forges
From  a dusty parking lot.

A Setting Sun
Slides behind a paint-peeled press box
Random lights, atop creosote poles
Flicker to life
A Roster Scanned, Noted, as a Sousaphone Bellows
A Flute Shrills, Gazes fixed
On the Stars and Stripes

Smoke floats
From a Booster Club Grill
Popcorn Wafts, Cuts Through
Crisp Autumn Air
An Unexpected Chill
Beckons Blankets and Hoodies and Mittens
And Coffee.

Missing Scoreboard Lights Turn a "0" into "3"
Zebras Chuckle,
Summon Captains to Midfield
A Coin Flutters. Lands Softly on Fescue
A Glance to the Flag
The Wind Gauged
A Decision Deferred

Teams taking places
Take It Back!
Who's Got the Hit?!
Wall Right!

A Prayer For Protection
A Prayer For Courage
A Prayer For Mercy

A Long Looping Whistle
The Thud of the Kick
The Crowd Comes to Life
Ripping Flesh
Crackling Plastic
Muffled Groans From the Bottom of the Pile

Turf Yielding Dew
Cleats Raking Mud
Ball!
Crossbuck
Stunt
Reverse!
Yellow Flags Raining

Triple 38!
On Two-ON TWO!
Don't Jump!
Green 18!
Huh-Hut!
He Jumped!

A Horn blows.
Gasping boys gather wits, strength, stamina
Head up a long hill to
A Locker Room's Stench

A Smiling Father, A Pretty Dress
Floats Wobbling on Squeaky Trailer Wheels

A reprieve, a respite, a Chalk Talk
Searching for courage, endurance, hope
Coaches coaxing same
For the Final Act

New Life
Redemption
A Cadence
Deception
Counter
Audible
Separation
Daylight!
Daylight Gone.

Read First
Pitch It!
Run to the Sticks!
Get Out of Bounds!
The Clock Won't Stop
Oskie!
Pick Six!
Sell the Run!
Stay Home!
On The Roof!

Another Prayer For Protection

Staring Down Trepidation
Discovering Courage
Displaying Character

Boys Becoming Men
Men, In the Stands,
Once Again Boys
Mothers Holding Nurturing Breaths
Wondering Where the Time Has Gone

A Gatorade Bath
Dumped in Jubilation
A Broken Clipboad
Slammed in Despair

A Season Ends
Of Football.
Of Life.