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Face of Vivian Woodward, Footballer

Craig W Thomas

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Vivian’s face, the ace who stares a world away from home
France and sin and all things in the past he made to roam
In old long sleeves he weaves to charm a sprint across the pitch
Ball to foot-laced feet to greet a chance to scratch the itch

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Vivian’s people come from here and there and far and wide
The factory cap and gentleman claps the hero, now allied
Vivian raises palm and calmly sanctifies the game
Star and artist true, with hissing net he signs his name

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Vivian’s eyes as sharp exact an angle to the post
Judge the moment just to know the act he loves the most
Big defender chase to end another run at goal,
Left behind another blinder Cup-tie kind of shoal

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 29 in 23 and gold from other deeds
Hauls in fours and threes and twos and not for money needs
I would you wore the nine today as destiny races to us
I would that I could meet you in the winds that history blew us

© Craig W Thomas June 2010

Notes

The well-known photo of Vivian Woodward needs to accompany this poem. I’ve simultaneously sent a copy of the poem to you in an email, for the poem’s first verse, if you will, is the photo.

I came across Vivian Woodward in researching a book on the language of football, have become a little fascinated by his record and his almost total obscurity. I aim to do something in the book about that! Meanwhile, coming accidentally across your website this afternoon, I thought I’d pen a little something in his honour. It needs work! But I might not be able to find the time. Have it, anyway.

best,

Craig

unfortunately, we cannot show pictures within poems, but to help Craig, we have included this link here, which shows the same picture that Craig included, plus it gives a biography of Vivian Woodward.

Note – this will open in a seperate pane

Vivian Woodward pic

Clik.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/face-of-vivian-woodward-footballer/