Penalties

Cherry

By marandina

Tue, 13 Jul 2021
  • 2187 reads
15 comments
 

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

Certificate 12
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Opinion

Comments

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

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.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Luigi. Yes, there is dignity in defeat and victory. Sadly, football continually has its unpleasant underbelly exposed in England. There is much to be done to resolve many issues including racism. Paul

 

Submitted by celticman on

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. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

The Hate Factory - you probably sum it up neatly, as usual, CM. Thanks for reading. Paul

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

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.

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, David. I think it's the anonymous nature of social media and the fact that there are no consequences for people's actions that is facilitating racist comments. Really need the organisations involved to do more.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Genuinely appreciated. Paul :)

 

Submitted by catherine poarch on

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. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading, Catherine. Yes, it's a massive bridge but it has to be crossed. The more people who join the journey, the more likely we are to deal with the bad people appropriately. It's a battle that will always be fought. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by onemorething on

I agree with Catherine. Great poem, wonderful last lines. :)

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for reading it, Rachel. Glad you liked it. Paul :)

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

Nicely worded. Well written. Solid theme. Great one. Congrats on the cherries.

GGHades502

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Hades. Paul :)

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

You did a good job with this poem - showing both the emotions of the football  hopes and then disappontment, and the awful abuse that followed. Well done.

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading, Jean. Paul