A W in the Book

Tonight is not for a title or trophy,

Just the last game of the season.

Tape the ankle, wear the colors,

Roll the neck, and pound the pads.

It’s time. Time for a W in the book.

Look at the faces next to you

And make an oath right now,

That you will step it up and play

Right up to the final whistle

And share a W in the book.

We have had our heartache

Plus, bruises, crutches and flags.

Yet, tonight if we play with heart

Deep from the fiber of our soul,

Forever will be a W in the book.

C’mon boys, rally round the ball.

Yell and cheer like champions.

Let the field echo with our cry

Let our spirit, unbroken, fly!

And put another W in the book.

Restless

The night sighs in restful peace,

Yet my mind tosses and tumbles.

    Questions pull at my blankets

    giving me chills.

Fears scrabble under the bed lurking

in the dark.

    Rolling over, I hide in my pillow,

    searching for solace and sleep.

Nestled deep in my thoughts,

dozing, my limited time.

    And, I have miles to go. Many miles.

    However, the road is blurred with sleeplessness.

Drive

            the ball comes down court

            hands ready.

Pick sets.

            flash around, shoulder to shoulder

Post up.

            ball pops the hand

            to the net.

Drive!

            new opponent takes the court,

            smug cancer.

Pick sets.

            team rallies, shoulder to shoulder,

Post up.

            Compo, head up high,

            undefeated.

Drive.

            athletes across the conference

            wear pink.

Pick sets.

            all the Jack Pine, shoulder to shoulder,

Post up

            a number 32

            with love.

Drive.

Miss You

I walk tall, undefeated,

Yet the wind tries to push me down,

To hunch low, retreat into my coat of thoughts.

Grit stings my eye, blurring the world.

I fall…

    ...no one catches me

        ...miss you.

I fall hard, awkwardly,

And the pavement bites my palms,

Burns my knee, the armor of faith groans.

Heart pounds hard, frustrated and mad.

I cry…

    ...no words of comfort

        ...miss you

I rise slow, carefully,

From a tree, a red cardinal chirps, “Hey.”

Warming sun, touches my salty cheek.

Although not here, you are with me..

I sigh…

    ...your message received

        ...miss you.

Give Me A B!

Be it out on a chilly night

    or in a bright gymnasium,

Dressed in his olive drab jacket,

    this door-gunner veteran

    will stand to the crowd and yell,

“C’mon Bobcats! Let’s Get Excited!”

    And with a pump of a fist,

“Give me a B!”

How many time has he stood?

    How many time has he rallied?

Sometimes twice a game.

    He’s called out when we were ahead

    or during time out of a key play.

And, we have looked with hope

    to our Bobcat Man to lead.

“Give me a B!”

Today, we proudly stand together

    with a salute to him.

We are dressed in green

    to emulate his Bold, Brash,

    Bravado of a Barbaric cheer.

We are the Bobcat Nation!

    And with a fist held high, we yell,

"Give me a B!"

Fireworks

Ready, set, explode.

The squad bursts into motion.
"Whatever It Takes!"
rattles the fans.
Cheers shake the roof.

The mat pops with tumbles,
hand springs and cartwheels.
The Audience watches the
flash and sparks of spirit
erupting into pyramids
with flyers shooting
high into the air.

Sounds vibrate the gym.
A calliope of tucks, tumbles and toe touches are
pinnacled with elevators, extensions
and double twists
bursting skyward.
The crowd applauds the
choreographed motion of exuberant skill that
explodes and illuminates the mat
in a spectacular display
that is a rowdy, beautiful cheer
of Fireworks!

Tough Chick

My muscles are pool noodles.

    My ankle is swollen.

I have bruises and a floor burn.

    But I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.

The ball was alien.

    My hands were dead fish.

My head unclear with trash talk.

    But I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.

Like in movies and in history,

    Like in this game and the others,

There are women who stood tall and said,

    I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.

So I will shake it off,

    And I will face all doubts.

My ankle is taped.

    Time to suck it up and go.

Pass me the ball and be ready!

    I will play on;

        I am a tough chick.


For Grace