Terry McDonagh – Football’s the Leveller

Terry McDonagh - Football’s the Leveller - Live Encounters Magazine July 2014

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Football’s the Leveller – Terry McDonagh Irish Poet, Playwright and Writer

Now with the world cup in full swing I feel the need to have something to say on the subject of football. Just recently, I was reading James Shirley’s (1596-1666) poem, Death the Leveller when, in a moment of madness, I had the insane idea that death was not the leveller after all – football is…for the time being at least. I like football.

Football’s the Leveller

What’s the point in poetry and death 

if
your team’s all sloppy and out of breath.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in sexy women or toast
if
the goalie lets a soft one in by the post.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in orgies on ice
if
the star admits to being loving and nice.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in that god of mine
if
United gets a goal in injury time.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in laughter and derision
if
your team’s got a foot in the second division.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in Plato’s common clay
if
the pitch is in bad shape on Saturday.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in reincarnation and Zeus
if
our lads down there are getting dog’s abuse.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in being run off your feet
if
as usual the game ends up in defeat.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in life, fun or the game
if
when you face your mates the result is the same.

Football’s the leveller.

What’s the point in dying before the game’s won
if
the gravedigger’s not there to get his job done.

The shovel’s the great leveller in the end.


© Terry McDonagh

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