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The First Time Ever You Saw That Place

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 1983 April 16
the day you connected
the first time ever – you saw that place

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 funny when you know or suspect the power
of taking along son daughter granny grandad
grand-son grand-daughter nephew uncle
or equally unsuspecting friend
into that cauldron – into that sea
into that home – into that space
that is forever that place

3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 life changing stuff maybe
to change a life to paint forever
that interest – that addicition
that feeling
for that place

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 hard too – when you’ve been a lifelong casualty yourself
the pain – the ups – the downs..
how could I inflict this upon another?
but I did..and there you were..
turning twelve that day
when twelve was still young
and such an age to be a child
and for you
long before brand awareness
peer pressure
designer tweens
and endless
‘ nicky-no-name’ bullying
you
big match debut
innocent
consumed
first live game ever
and at six-nil
who could ask for more

5 Leave a comment on verse 5 0 shirts so much cheaper then
and you stood there so proud
in that style of that season
still creased from morning’s surprise
your face
excited nervous enthralled
embarassed
and probably wanting to hide
when the tannoy blared over
‘Beat It’ at half time
just for you
in days when Micheal Jackson
and birthday requests from parents
and Swap Shop were still cool..
even in that place

6 Leave a comment on verse 6 0 and now at 33
you
still connected
still looking still hooked still excited
still nervous still waiting
still checking
still in that place
forever

7 Leave a comment on verse 7 0 but still
I wonder
when I look at you now
family and children of your own
one totally not into football
I might add
what have i done?

8 Leave a comment on verse 8 0 and what will you do ?

Notes

in response to Clik The Mouse’s great poem trip to the Bridge with his children for the first time on Saturday..from Ireland …from sweaters and goal posts to the theatre of a million fans never ending dreams..

Source: https://footballpoets.org/poems/the-first-time-ever-you-saw-that-place/