Two fortresses rise up
in the shared light
of a restless moon
opposite ends of town
these warriors roll
with a leather bound sword
passing, running, plotting
like conquering Romans
in their helmets and pads
shooting for at least a D2 school
living the largeness of sports heroes.
Cheerleader pow-wow
disbanding like colorful Skittles
little queens of the air and pyramids
on fleek eyelashes
flutter slyly
at broken hearted boys
perfect braids and waistlines
while gods of inertia
and love and loss
laugh out loud.
Fan boys saunter sidelines
painted faces
power walking in Jordan’s.
Embracing this heated war
these two citadels
date back
to the building and tearing
of schools
integration, state titles and records
bleeding gold and black
bleeding red and black.
Every autumn brings the trial
every year closes a chapter
every person chooses their team
every dream tumbles down….
all hinging on
goal posts and glory.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
Football, the Great American Sport. Although cheerleading is taking on a life of its own. Friday nights are like a Reese’s Cup, PB and chocolate colliding on the ball field, two great tastes that taste great together. 🙂
That’s a fantastic comparison, Joan. You are right, cheerleaders really just aren’t the sidekick of a football team anymore.
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site and commented:
By the lovely LT Garvin.
Thanks John!
You are very graciously welcome.
Quite a story in this little rivalry!
It’s a pretty big deal here (a lame little town, lol). We actually have three high schools here, but it is all concentrated on those two.
I’d get a headache if I stood on my head like that.
That very well might be a side effect…smile )
And Cardinals lost yesterday… hurumph.😉
Oh no! Well you win some, loose some….
Expressed very nicely. 😉
Thank you!
I remember how BIG football was when I was in Texas — funny, but that attitude seems to have followed me wherever I go! Love the description here, and it’s sooo true.
Oh yes it is a big deal, and some people are that way about their pro teams, ha ha. Thanks for the compliment. I spend a lot of time with kids so I get to dip into their world a bit.
I don’t even like football and I loved this poem. I could feel the epic energy of the rivals’ game. Wow, Lana.
Thank you so much, Diana. I admire your writing talent, and appreciate your generous comments on my work. We have a way in Texas of making everybody like football, ha ha!
My husband watches football, so Sundays are great writing days 😀
I find that to be true also, if only I could get my husband to shut up, ha ha.
LOL
Love this, Lana, mingling the preparations for battle in olden days with the football season upon you now. Intriguing parallels. Well done! 😀
Thank you, Annika. It’s definitely a barbaric sport at times. Many of these small southern towns tie their identity with their schools.