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Still There … The Magic and the Pain

Crispin Thomas

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 though some proclaim the magic’s gone
and some will just bang on and on
about the odds so high and long
still grander dreams are born
upon this frost bound hill so steep
it’s village views for man and sheep
awakened like a child from sleep
we taste and glimpse it all

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 and packed in tight like some parade
on terraces we stood and prayed
to watch a game of football played
like long gone days of old
when local fans converged as one
in bitter cup-tie cold and sun
and ev’ry form-book’s torn un-done
with ev’ry pulsing goal

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 two-nil , two-two and then three-two
it see-saws as great games will do
and out-weighs all our hopes it’s true
of all that could have been
when for a moment madness reigns
and with each chance it grows again
still there the magic and the pain
up here in Forest Green

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 and on three-three that penalty
that rips the heart from you and me
but gives us all the chance to see
the future here one day
this hamlet with its art and style
where locals paint and write awhile
and football is a million miles
from all that we survey

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 a wooden rattle in my hand
the banter to the pitch and stand
in every woman child and man
belief runs like a stream
we stamp and shuffle to keep warm
like sheltered animals in storms
it’s here that lifelong goals are born
it’s here we here hope and dream

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 a century of toil and wars
of non league battles wins and draws
where strong winds blow but still we’re sure
our time will come again
and looking round on ev’ry face
a smile and gleam quite out of place
til all that’s left is just the trace
of magic and the pain

© Crispin Thomas 2008

Notes

F.A.Cup 3rd Round Forest Green Rovers 3 Derby County 4
It doesn’t get any better that this. 120 years of being almost an unknown entity. Here in the sleepy ‘Cider With Rosie’ world of Laurie Lee, Prince Charles, rugby and polo ..football lives . Today we got to witness one of the best games I’ve seen in a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a closely fought game so much. Always a leveller they say .the Cup. For me though, along with fellow poets Rick and Nick we had a great day. It isn’t just about the magic though, it’s about the glimpse of a growing support, climbing up the leagues, and moving on ..well done Forest Green you did us proud. Never outplayed
you deserved more. And thank you for letting me take my rattle in!

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/still-there-the-magic-and-the-pain/