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Behind Closed Doors

Denys E. W. Jones

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 They’re racing like whippets, they’re running like hares,
Pray, what is the point of it all?
There’s twenty-two fellas in shirts, shorts and socks,
All frantically chasing a ball.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 There’s three points to make, the Drop to escape,
Such stuff as would norm’lly enthral.
But something’s not right, the match fails to ignite,
‘Cos there’s not one supporter at all.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 You can hear a pin drop, can pick up sneeze or cough,
Catch the players cry “Ouch!” when they fall.
There’s both linesmen and ref, the two gaffers and staff,
But not one fan, young, old, large or small.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 There’s no songs, there’s no chants, there’s no oohs, there’s no ahs,
The stadium’s void and forlorn.
No-one sighs, gasps or cheers, great lack of atmosphere,
It’s just forty-four boots and a ball.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 There’s no roar from the North, no response from the South,
Just a funereal hush with the Crowd all locked out –
‘Cos some fans misbehaved, we’ve been told: “Stay away,
We will not let you watch the football.”

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 It could be exciting, intense, nail-biting,
But the spectacle’s starting to pall.
Three points to be won, relegation to shun,
Yet the whole thing’s just one great, big yawn.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 1/5/12
Denys E. W. Jones

© 1/5/2012

Notes

Following crowd trouble during their match against Siena, Genoa’s home game against Cagliari (2 May 2012) will be played behind closed doors. I realise misbehaviour cannot be tolerated, but my question for the Football Authorities is this: can’t you find a way of punishing the law-breaking minority, but not the law-abiding majority?

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/behind-closed-doors/