Friday, May 11, 2012

We Play the Game

Our silk we wear has a sash
               of grass stains and dirt
from battles royal.
Bruises blossom dark and purple,
               mixing with last week’s yellow
               and green to make our bouquet.
We wear a crown, but it is nothing
               more  than headband or prewrap
jeweled with sweat.
Soft slippers? No.
               Bright laces don our cleats,
               Double knotted, tough.
Our regal presence on the field
               is a bruised jaw set firm,
               tasting grass and grit.
Heart and Determination
               burns in our eyes,
               a sigil to our oath.
We are pledged to teamwork,
               a sisterhood of Go!
               Crusading for victory.
Yes, we are girls,
               Beautiful and Bold,
               And we play the game.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Toughest Job


Just a few days old, a precious little life.
The husband stands next to a tired wife.
Its time to rest, this she does know.
Carefully, with tears, she lets go.

Bright September morn, a boy kicks a stone.
Impatiently waiting,  he wants to stand alone.
Mom stands back, Dad says the bus will show.
She waves at his grin as she lets go.

Bands and books hype the late August.
Dad aches from luggage, his back will adjust.
Mom smiles bravely  but moves away slow
Her child to the ivy halls, she lets go.

The height of June, flashbulbs pop bright.
A man in black, and a woman in white.
A dad brings her down, passes her hand aglow.
The two moms look at their babies and let go.

Dads smile and nod and make a joke or two.
Although similar, he has a different job to do.
Done with grace, though it hurts her so
A loving mother’s toughest job, is letting go.