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It’s Different For Girls

Rosemary Dun

Tuesday, June 6th, 2000

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 When I was a child, I played Football
with my Dad and my brothers.
I was a dab foot at dribbling –
headers too.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Up on The Downs

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 I’d run full pelt,
kicking the ball in front,
hair free,
as I dodged past Martin
heading for Dad,
in goal.
“Pass the ball!” shouts Martin
“Hard Cheese! Its mine.”
Then, before he can bring me down
with a flying tackle
I kick the ball
right past Dad and into the net!
A Goal!

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 YESS!

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 At Juniors
we’d play footie in the schoolyard
all together
when we were
asexual
and just kids.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 And when the other girls started playing
kiss touch,
mummies and daddies,
I carried on with my football.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 “Rosie is a Tomboy!”
They’d taunt.
But I was glad,
took pride in
kicking that ball,
being one of the lads.
I wasn’t a sissy,
I didn’t want to be
sent off at half time
for being different.

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 “She can’t play football. She’s a girl.”
WHY NOT. I’d shriek
with rage.
Rush and deliver
a dead leg
a Chinese Burn
a punch on the arm.

9 Leave a comment on verse 9 0 Why can’t I play?
I’m as good as you!

10 Leave a comment on verse 10 0 Now I’m grown,
and the lines are drawn.

11 Leave a comment on verse 11 0 “You don’t understand
about boys and football …”
announced my – soon to be ex – boyfriend,
with a sneer.

12 Leave a comment on verse 12 0 So, no.
I don’t understand.
But I could have,
if all of you had
let me.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/its-different-for-girls/