One game was a joy to watch
The other was a horror
A game of skill the first one
The second – why bother!
Football is a game we say
Playing for the prize
But when you want a thing too much
You fight and someone cries
The gathering of nations
The sight a joy to see
People meeting people
From sea to shining sea
Discovering humanity
In all its different ways
And sharing in the merriment
Going through each phase
But when a tackle becomes assault
And the game is do or die
A game of skill becomes a kill
The heavens we defy
For winning is not everything
And when fair turns into foul
It’s time to put the kettle on
And leave the wolves to howl
Brian Fahy
10 December 2022
Erris Poetry 