Penalties
By marandina
- 2171 reads
On 11th July 2021 the England Football team lost on penalties to Italy after a 1-1 draw having played extra time in the Final of the Euro2020 tournament. The three England players who missed their penalty kicks all become victims of racist abuse.
Penalties
In search of elusive self-definition,
I sit amongst the rubble of midlife,
many millions of spellbound souls,
enraptured by a sport played by adults
and teens from modest backgrounds.
An indomitable spirit turned to despair,
as victory glimpsed but now gone,
a transient, national grief reflected in
a consequent ordering of priorities, conscience
and recognition of what is truly important.
My sentient soul seeks solace
in sharing the distant misfortune
of those strident men recently
called upon to storm Harry’s breach,
an analogous battle now lost.
I see no colour, just plucky innocents,
summoned to a metaphorical bridge too far,
rewarded by insidious vitriol and racist spite.
We shall rise again as one, this family,
with arms wrapped around each other.
And vanquish the harpies of vile torment.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-57806142
Image free to use at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:4-adidas-euro-2020-ball-min.jpg
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Comments
I am afraid, Paul, that there
I am afraid, Paul, that there will always be a few ignorant, disgruntled, sore losers who can't accept to be beaten with dignity. They will find a reason (even if it is unreasonable) for their reaction
I remember when years ago Italy was eliminated from the world cup, they were pelted with rotten tomatoes on their return.
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the hate factory churns out
the hate factory churns out such results. The colour of the English player's skin that missed penalties was enough to turn it on full force.
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A good poem for the moment!
A good poem for the moment! It is a fitting memory of the disappointment of losing on mere penalties and the instant inappropriate reactions brought out by failure. Hopefully negative racism is a knee jerk reaction from some who will reflect on their nastiness.
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There's a lot to get out of
There's a lot to get out of reading this. It was a bridge too far, but still a bridge beyond expectation. Despite the disappointment, it's good to see the stand against racism. A bigger bridge to cross.
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I agree with Catherine. Great
I agree with Catherine. Great poem, wonderful last lines. :)
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Another good one
Nicely worded. Well written. Solid theme. Great one. Congrats on the cherries.
GGHades502
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