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Standing Out in a Crowd

Paul Hatt

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 We’ve all seen him,
there on the home terrace,
just to the left of the goal.
Same stanchion and always stood on his own.
Dressed in Saturday best; flat cap resplendent come rain or shine.
It’s been his spot for forty years.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 “Poor old sod. How come he’s on his own?”
“Did he never have the son he always wanted?”
“No friends or neighbours to come with?”

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 But we all keep our distance.
Contact restricted to a knowing glance and a nod.
A figure to be avoided in the half time tea queue.
Any conversations kept to a minimum.
No one wanting to get involved.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Forty years same spot at the bar.
Each weeks wages swilled down his neck.
Everyday stumbling blindly home,
Oblivious of his wife and son.

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 Loyalty only lasts so long.
Now he stands alone.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/standing-out-in-a-crowd/