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Empty Seat

Paul Hatt

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 During a lull in the second half
with the match coming to a close,
a melancholic thought occurred.
“This could be the last time
I sit next to this man at a game”.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 This is the man who back in the seventies,
held me by the hand and showed me where to go.
He made sure I had the right money
and found me a space where I could see.
Now I’m the one guiding him to his seat.
“Are you warm enough?”
“Can I get you a tea?”

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 We’ve been to grounds all over the country,
in all sorts of weathers.
League games and Cup games,
Friendlies and the like.
But you know what I remember most?
It’s the security of having you there,
sharing the joy and the despair.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 When I look at that empty seat.
I’ll not forget.

Notes

Written for my father who took me to my first game in 1972. I’ve never shown him it, perhaps I never will.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/empty-seat/