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Sweeper

Andy Lockett

Wednesday, October 18th, 2006

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Imperious presence patrolling the rear,
Soaks up the loose through pass, the stray
Forward run. Time on the ball to move his
Way out of trouble – never flustered, never
Threatened with panic or rush, alien notions
To him. An inner coolness, a serenity combined
With subtle strength – dilutes, diverts all threats.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 Call him schemer, call him the extra man; call
Him ultra defensive, but he can switch play in
An instant with one well-placed pass, crossfield
To wings or down the channels pinpoint sweet.
That style, that grace under pressure marks him
As a bit special – one man surveying his kingdom,
A creator of chances from within his own half.

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Sublime skill, deigned to but few men on the
Field of play – he glides through games with an
Innate assurance; almost an aloof arrogance in
His demeanour – though never risky enough to
Get caught in possession. The maestro, the meister,
The general in charge; peerless master of his team’s
Fate – in control, one man the leader of ten others.

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 Seen around Europe for many years, from Milan
To Moscow to Munich. A rarer breed within these
Shores, where the stolid, dependable back four
Still holds firm(ish) – for most of the ninety minutes.
Teams too frantic, too much dashing around – the
Aimless big boot forward still holds sway here.
No Beckenbaur or Baresi to sweep up the mess.

© Andy Lockett 2006

Notes

Editor’s note :

Anticipating reader’s reactions : I think it’s safe to say that Bobby Moore is the exception that proves the rule!!

Source: https://footballpoets.org/poems/sweeper/