ABSOLUTE POETRY AND PRAYER

YES....It's National Poetry Day, the first Thursday in October; but you knew that already. The National Football Museum in Manchester has an exhibition, by their "Poet in Residence", Paul Cookson and there are published poems on display.  Paul has brought together a number of his poems to help "illustrate" our national game, as well as a wide range of other topics. 

He is an Everton fan, so I am prepared to subject you Liverpool chaps (and others), to this piece of his work, as a taster. 

Home

It’s who we are
It’s what we do
It’s why we’re here
It’s me and you
It’s where we laugh
It’s where we cry
And where we shout and gasp and groan
It’s where we meet
Week by week
Everton – at home
Everton – at home

At home with those who care
At home with those who dare to dream
More than just a football crowd
More than just a football team

It’s church and it’s belonging
Weekly mass – communion
It’s faith and hope and love and more
It’s family, friends, our union

At home we know our places
The special points where we all meet
And all the usual faces
The click clack of a myriad seats

That music before kick off
That heralds expectation
The Z Cars Theme, A Grand Old Team
Excitement and anticipation

Not just what happens on the pitch
Those in blue on Goodison green
Important landmarks of our lives
Marked by matches we’ve all seen

Guardians of tradition
We pass that baton on
The heroes of the past
The heroes yet to come
Those magic moments that we shared
The joy and pain we’ve known
It’s where we meet – week by week
Everton – at home

The guiding lights on Winter’s nights
The Grand Old Lady’s throne
It’s where we meet – week by week
Everton – at home

Born not manufactured
Never on your own
It’s where we meet – week by week
Everton – at home

It’s who we are
It’s what we do
It’s why we’re here
It’s me and you
It’s where we pray - on Saturday
For future hopes unknown
Our history and legacy
Those times to come for you and me
It’s where we meet
Week by week
Everton – at home
Everton – at home

You will, no doubt, do some more research on the www. If you are a teacher, then his work will bring joy to many of your young students (and old ones). If you are a (grand) parent then this solves Christmas presents! Go on, treat them.

The Footballer’s Prayer

Our team
Which art eleven
Hallowed be thy game
Our match be won
Their score be none
On turf as we score at least seven
Give us today no daily red … card
And forgive us our lost passes
As we forgive those Who lose passes against us
Lead us not into retaliation
And deliver us from penalties
For three is the kick off
The power and scorer
For ever and ever
Full time