quick blink—
and I’m the smallest one
on an enormous field,
praying to the wind
to keep that ball away
while trying not to notice
pitying looks
and
disdainful laughter.
quick blink—
I’m still
the smallest one
but now
I’m the wind
heading
for that ball
grinning
while friendly
cheers
accompany me
straight
into the goal.
This poem was created in response to the prompt at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads: Time Travel -Flashbacks with Bjorn.
Liner Notes for this Groove: As I've mentioned before on this blog, I've become a big fan of playing sportsball (i.e. team sports activities) at my work place. What might be even more surprising to me is (that as long as I remember to diligently warm up) I've become not a half bad player. I'm actually pretty decent to the point people want me on their team. I even earned myself a nickname, "the Wizard" (I always work out in nerd themed gym clothes, including Harry Potter ones).
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| If Tee Turtle ever carries this t-shirt design back in stock again I am sooooo getting one. Because reasons. |
My company is moving locations in the near future, so that means there will likely be an interruption to my sportsball time as things settle down. I'll still exercise at home, but it won't be the same. I'm going to miss my sportsball. This reminds a little of a quote by Anne Lamott, who said that figuring the act of writing was its own reward, was "like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea ceremony." I went along with sportsball, because it was just a form of exercise. But since then, I've discovered I really need the game itself.
Speaking of moving, I'm moving my main posting day. Starting Nov 24th, I'll be doing Blogging Around with Rommy on Sundays. Thanks for sticking with me through all the shifting around. So what has you moving these days, Groovers? Talk to me about it in the comments and drop a link to your cyberhome if you feel moved to continue the conversation there.
Song Choice: Do I hear La Copa De La Vida by Ricky Martin in my head sometimes when I'm running on the field? Yep. When I score critical or game winning goals might I hear Pinball Wizard in my head, replacing "pinball" with "sportsball"? Perhaps. 😂
Song Choice: Do I hear La Copa De La Vida by Ricky Martin in my head sometimes when I'm running on the field? Yep. When I score critical or game winning goals might I hear Pinball Wizard in my head, replacing "pinball" with "sportsball"? Perhaps. 😂
How do you think she does It? I don't know! What makes her so good?
ReplyDeleteha
DeleteShe's a sportsball wizard there has to be twist, that sportsball wizard has such a supple wrist...
ReplyDeletedouble ha
DeleteThe first part of your poem describes my experience with sports. I'm glad you've discovered your inner sportsball athlete in your adult years! I never did.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I probably would be utter rubbish if it were an actual competition where points counted. That said, I really do love it when I get a goal in.
DeleteYour poem is delightful. I can almost see the sportsball wizard whizzing around...lol! Good luck with both moves; your company and blogging schedule.
ReplyDeleteThanks Khaya. I'm still weighing out what will work best for me blogging wise. Sunday seems promising, but Saturday has some appeal as well.
DeleteLooking back feels so good, when what we see ahead looks better than the past. Like Debra, I'm super happy that you are enjoying yourself so much. I remember how much your dreaded any sort of organized sport. To imagine you flying through the feel, grinning like a happy lunatic, makes me join in the grin fest!
ReplyDeleteThese days, I am moved by an overload of coincidences. It seems that every time I'm ready to drop--from exhaustion and sometimes pain--someone needs me, and I find strength (from who knows where) and stay up. The universe is good, even when it's tough.
I'm selfishly grateful for that well of universal energy you pull from. But I do hope that any rest you get is good and replenishing.
DeleteThis is perfect.. to go from the one left behind to the one being chosen... (like when we realize that being nerd is the coolest thing). Just those two scenes set side by side makes it a perfect juxtaposition... may you be back to your sportsball soon
ReplyDeleteI sure hope so!
DeleteWe must all enjoy our sport in our own way, taking part, accepting it is OK to lose but grinning like monkeys when we win...and writing poetry in between.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm OK with losing too. As long as I get to run around like a maniac, I'm good.
DeleteThe repetition of ‘quick blink’ is a great way to incorporate flashbacks. It was the words ‘smallest one on an enormous field’ that took me back to the horrors of hockey in autumnal England. I was the smallest, often hiding in the changing rooms or the fog to avoid being bullied by the bigger girls and bruised by hockey sticks. I’m not brave enough to repeat it. I admire your stamina, Rommy – or should I say Wizard!
ReplyDeleteI was really wretched at hockey too! I think its the fact that everyone is just trying to have fun and no one is going around being a bully that makes it great.
DeleteThis resonates with me massively, as I’ve just taken up cycling -and understand the euphoria of any sporting activity. You are a wizard who has become the wind. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteYour cycling inspires me too. LOL, I eventually want to learn how to ride someday. I think it'd be a fun thing for the hubby and I to do together.
DeleteHow quickly things change in the blink of an eye. From the ball to the wind. I like how this one gathers speed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori. LOL, my need to warm up before and stretch afterwards reminds me that plenty of time has passed despite my childlike glee at getting to play.
DeleteFYI- comments for my post have (again) been enabled
ReplyDeleteCool beans! I'm glad I was able to leave a comment.
DeleteIt takes time to morph into something stellar! Brava.
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of it LOL. Time to get faster, get stronger, to remember that since I'm older warm up and stretches are no longer optional unless I enjoy hobbling around two days after. :D
DeleteSounds fascinating from the safety of the couch :):) I'm also following with interest your blogging schedule - have been wondering about a fixed schedule for blogging or whether or not blogging still lives... so far it's just been whenever I had something to post.
ReplyDeleteI go through stages where I need more discipline/ order to get the things I want done. Blogging is high on my priority list, but I have to juggle the chaos of the office move plus the chaos of a department reconstruction happening at the same time. I'm going back and forth between Saturday and Sunday TBH.
DeleteOh, such a vivid, energetic picture of the sportsball wizard! I never discovered such delights. I was more like your first verse, not the smallest but the slowest (many years later it was discovered my diseased tonsils would have been making me 'short-winded') and inept at hitting or catching balls or scoring goals (later it was also discovered I had very short sight + astigmatism). So I like solitary sports: walking, non-serious swimming, where I set my own pace. None of which prevented a vicarious enjoyment of your poem, even the energy of the second verse.
ReplyDeleteI had some mild asthma issues as a kid too that didn't help me much. I think as long as we find some pleasure in the ways we can move out bodies it's all good.
DeletePerfect response to Prompt, R! Salute.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ron
DeleteTimes to change in the blink of an eye.. at least as adults we can enjoy ourselves regardless of the opinion of others.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it absolutely helps that I've reached the magical age of not giving too many damns.
DeleteAn interesting transformation from fear to wind, Rommy. I also identify as the smallest on the field but never quite became the wind.
ReplyDeleteLOL, well it's easier that my opponents are other office workers around my age. It's a lot more fair.
DeleteGreat poem! Transformation has a rush of its own.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does
DeleteI like the quick blink and the shot taken!
ReplyDeleteNow if only the ball would go in every time
DeleteI love the shift of perspective in your poem - and love Anne Lamott's quote. She is a wise one.
ReplyDeleteIndeed she is.
DeleteAh, it's amazing what some willful confidence will do...turn us into the wind! I love this story and can relate. Always small and bad at any sport growing up. Then I decided to learn to ski at 45 and had a surprising natural nack for it. Triumph! Here's to the not exactly sporting, little underdogs!
ReplyDeleteSkiing sounds really bold! I'm too nervous to attempt that, but I'm glad you've found happy thrills in it. Ski on!
DeleteThere is such a palpable rush in this poem, Rommy!❤️ I love the incorporation of "quick blink" which creates nostalgia and sends the reader into flashback! I also love the fact that you are a sports-ball wizard! Woot!❤️
ReplyDeleteI have recently taken up jogging as the weather here is crisp and cool! I love, love winters!😃
Jogging requires a lot of patience and discipline, so you have my mad respect for that.
DeleteAnother awesome post, Rommy! Love what you did with the 'Quick Blinks' - very creative. And I so-o-o-o identified with the musical accompaniment. (Writing that shines a light on the quirky-authentic directions our heads go in - for me - is the BEST … so WONDER FULLY Human.)
ReplyDeleteAnd I am rather quirky :D
DeleteS happy to hear you are having fun :D Hope the move goes well (in both instances). I didn't get back to writing yet...but yet is just a comma in my sentence XXX
ReplyDeleteSometimes it can take a while to get back into it if you haven't really done it for awhile. But you'll get there. <3
Delete