I was cheering for Los Ticos of Costa Rica
to defeat Brazil and their beautiful game.
Their patient play kept the Little Canary at bay.
Favored Brazil could not break the deadlock.
Neymar’s frustration grew.

After 78 minutes, Brazil’s captain turned
to trickery, toppled backwards,
“a dying sapling swept away by a mudslide,”
“tipping over like a rotting tree.” Penalty.
The forward took a dive.

His go-ahead goal brought profound relief.
At the final whistle the world’s 3rd-ranked player
wept, shoulders shuddering,
his hands waving as if to ward off
the pressure of leading his team.

Brazil defeated Costa Rica 2-0. On the summer solstice
Neymar won over another fan from across the ocean.
In St. Petersburg, there’s no joy for Los Ticos,
but in South America, kisses.