Home Field Advantage
After the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup,
lowest-ranked Russia thrashes Saudi Arabia 5-0
in a stadium financed by an oligarch “wallowing in money.”
The coach salutes his scorers, the crowd rises to its feet.
The roar in Red Square intensifies as we turn to commercial.
23andMe pitches, “You may not speak the language
or have visited the country, you may not know their heroes,
but we’re all connected to a World Cup nation through our DNA.”
McDonald’s offers breakfast while we watch.
VW regrets we do not have a ticket, introduces
a cheerful Belgian, Finn, and German who suggest
how we can choose a team to support.
Meanwhile refugees are stranded in the Mediterranean.
Policy is separating children from parents down at the border.
At the stadium, steely-eyed Putin leans over to the Crown Prince
and says, “Hey, what can you do?” hiding a smile.
5 thoughts on "Home Field Advantage"
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i love soccer.
but i keep forgetting where the 3-point line is….
ugh. but what a powerful poem. thanks for posting.
the pain is so great about the suffering children and their helpless parents, that I, too, see the pictures in much that I write, or read or do.
Would that sport was really a metaphor for how to treat others.
You’ve highlighted the highs and lows that we face in a global world. Not always easy to watch.
Gaby – I keep forgetting to ask if you made a decision on Hindman. Hope you decided to go; I think you would really enjoy it.
Great poem, and thanks Sylvia for reminding me of Hindman…