It playfully taunted the referee
by biting its own tail in dismay
and shadowed an unsuspecting usher
into the upper deck,
crimes very soon forgiven,
unless you hate showmanship.
With its large head and poor eyesight
you enjoy watching it fail at halftime
in a match with the hometown mascot.
The person inside the dark costume
sighting only straight ahead
doesn’t see your approach,
is deafened by imitating a beast
in a crowd of excited onlookers.
So to punch it seems cruel,
with children watching
who just shook its paw.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME