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Don’t Be Naive

Trent Morris

Monday, May 5th, 2014

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Block out the sound
when your plane touches down
in Brazil.
Eyes on the ball, ears to ground.
This campaign: more than
skill.
Remember the tears
of these forty-eight years
‘ere you leave.
Stick to your plan to a man
and just don’t be naive.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 You can play with one striker,
or two, or with ten to the ball.
The midfield: a diamond, a see-saw,
like jelly, a wall.
As many the ways to go through
as a man might conceive.
You can use one that’s old
or that’s new.
Please, just don’t be naive.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 The Italians will counterattack
like too much Tuscan wine.
Uruguayans can handle things well
when it’s all on the line.
And who knows what those
minnow Ticos might just have
up their sleeve.
You must plant your front foot,
but beware:
you just can’t be naive.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 They might coax the poor refs
with theatrics to give you a booking,
or stamp on your heels or
play handball when he isn’t looking.
They could use any manner or method,
their aim: to deceive.
When you go, you must know
it is so, so please don’t be naive.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 And although these three matches
might claim there’s some things
you’ll determine,
know those sides are not scratches
on Spain, or the Dutch,
or the Germans.
Beating Messi, Ronaldo, or Neymar:
something to achieve?
Know you’re in it. The sky is the limit.
Just don’t be naive.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 So here is my prayer for Team England
this Mondiale Eve:
At thirty to one, have some fun
and go give it a heave,
but like Reds kept their heads
back in Istanbul, hardware to thieve,
take your chances.
Fill your card with dances.
We’ll start to believe …

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 … but we won’t be naive.

© Trent Morris 2014

Notes

For my many English friends (my beloved but naive Canadian side having been eliminated early in qualifying). Sincere best wishes. TM

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/dont-be-naive/