Whenever the gods conspire
to show me all my attempts are futile,
whenever they rain down on me
a slew of purposeful misfortunes,
I run and hide in the sanctuary of sports.
A home run lifts my spirits.
A field goal elates me,
and a soccer goal scored in extended time
makes it possible for me to get through the day.
When I was growing up, myopic and skinny,
when family troubles threatened to overwhelm me,
I sought out the solace of sports.
A three-point shot thrilled me.
A winning forehand proved sufficient for hope,
and a hockey goal scored, shorthanded,
made it possible for me to get through the night.
All this activity –
a diversion? No doubt.
a digression? To be sure.
a necessity? Undoubtedly.
Sports makes it possible for me
to get through the vicissitudes of life,
day and night.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME