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Terminal Feedback

Alex Saynor

Thursday, June 8th, 2017

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 The biggest game, the culmination
of a fading season brought pause
to fans ranged across the masonry
of ancient stands in rival colours.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Penalties. The terminal feedback
of defeat, the draughtsman’s empty page
for another long summer rebuild
of character, transfer targets

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 hit or missed like the penalties
which defined the budget
as a final kick made one team
wheel away to different premises

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 and another slump on the pitch,
final shot missed, terminal feedback
the message of the year.

Notes

I heard the Director of Sport at the school I work at discuss ‘terminal feedback’ with a student – it’s the information given after a performance, apparently. Made me think of penalties in a play-off final, with the grim ‘terminal’ implying the end of the road and uncertain future for the unlucky team.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/terminal-feedback/