Football Poets

The Ball~ 2002 to Now

it’s a dream that would blossom two decades ago
when the Spirit of Football gave birth
to a symbol that’s more than just something you kick
but unites everyone on this Earth
and it’s rolled and been kicked by many a foot
it’s been headed and signed on the way
and it’s passed through their hands as it travels the lands
to ev’ry World Cup since that day …
it began when some friends had a notion
you could say they were drawn by a call
but it set off a story that every four years
sees the journey and trek of The Ball

from Battersea Park where the first game was played*
it was there in two thousand and two
that the first trip began to Korea and Japan
and those wonderful lands it passed through
and the Ball would be played with on beaches
in playgrounds in cities and towns
on hillsides and streets and in far-flung retreats
and wherever the moment was found
there were games played in secret in China
in the mountains where shadows would fall
there were monks in their boots and their long crimson robes
and they played just like us with The Ball

in 2006 it was Germany
and it made many friends on the way
in a world that is often divided
it brought people together through play
in another four years it was spinning once more
to Africa though many lands
it brought joy and delight ev’ry day ev’ry night
as it passed from those feet and those hands…
it’s been juggled by children and grown ups
it embodies the heart of the game
it’s been held like a torch and a beacon of hope
it’s our own little circular flame
and whatever you do and wherever you live
whether you’re big or you’re small
if you’re blind or disabled or lonely
you can’t beat the touch of the ball

it was there in Brazil and in Russia
and right now it’s travelling once more
and it’s making new friends on it’s journey
to another long far distant shore
but it’s not being kicked to Qatar
there are too many reasons to name
but instead it’s embracing the Women’s next year
at the core of the Beautiful Game
and in Oz and New Zealand** you’ll find it
it will thrill and unite and enthral
it’s the essence of bringing together
our one world with love and one ball

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