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Life Sentence

Number Ten

Tuesday, June 15th, 2004

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 That is always the problem when hopes are raised.
Everywhere I looked I saw the flag of Saint George,
Flying out of car windows
Flowing down from houses
Adorned on the public’s chest
Shops with white and red balloons.
The country believed and I believed with them.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 I used to think there was nothing worse in football
Than an injury time winner.
Until Zidane taught me there was one thing worse,
The equaliser and the winner together at the end.
Together and their sum of anguish is a stain
Which is repeated by television shows as if
I’ve already forgotten.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 But, and thank everything that there is a but,
It is not all over yet.
At least they haven’t packed their bags
At least games are ahead to save us.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 And now I know it is a life sentence.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Every kick and every goal will affect me
And everytime an England player walks out
I will have to support him because there is no-one else.
It will tear up my stomach and dry up my throat
Sometimes I’ve adored those feelings
Sometimes I’ve despised them
But they will always be there when England play.

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 And though Zidane’s boot will haunt me
Telling me it’s never over until it’s over
I live in the hope of victory to add footnotes
To moments of disaster.

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 And if it all goes wrong
It’s only another two year wait.
It’s only another two year wait.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/life-sentence/