Gershon Wolf Poet Rhyme

A Brutal Sport

Football is a brutal sport
   It's boxing without pads

Bone-jarring collisions rattle the head
   Collect too many, and you'll be dead

It also takes its toll on the knees
   Scar tissue, arthritis ~ Wheelchair, pretty please

Not to mention the damage it does to the spine
   Which becomes a human shock-absorber at game-time

Of course there are all those famous Chicago Bears players
      THOSE LEGENDARY 'MONSTERS OF THE MIDWAY:' 
'Coach' Mike Ditka waddles around on two dysfuntional hips
All-Star Dick Butkus' shattered knees plant curses on his lips  
      And the 'Punky Q-B,' Super Bowl winner, Jim McMahon
      Has helmet-bumped his way into the 'I'm-now-a-vegetable-can  
 Not to forget Dave Duerson: He entered Pro Football's Hall of Shame
   When he took his own life, 'cos he couldn't remember his name  

      But I'm a tough guy, a man's man, and here's what I say:
      If I have to sacrifice life or limb, let it not be for a football play
         ~ Let it be to defend my country, the USA!

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Richard Lamoureux August 15, 2018 at 8:24 AM I’m not a real fan of football but I must admit I love watching boxing. My wife gets mad any time that I do. I can’t explain the reason it is enjoyable, I guess it’s part of my primal nature. I do appreciate the artistry of it and the competition. I feel like I am the person in the ring. Gershon Wolf August 15, 2018 at 4:15 PM Interesting comments, Richard! Truth be told, I never soured on boxing til I realized how rigged the sport is ... Back in the day, in the late '50's, I simply thrilled to the tilts between Carmen Basilio and Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight title. Moreover, boxing is honest: One guy is out to knock the tar out of the other. Football, of course, pretends to be a 'game.' Best wishes, gw

Lindsay Laurie August 14, 2018 at 6:56 PM G'day Gershon … you could have this same poem about Australian Rules Footballers from down here, with different names of course, but they don't wear any padding - brutal sports attract huge crowds though - enjoyed your poem - Lindsay Gershon Wolf August 14, 2018 at 8:23 PM Yup, just like over here -- the more brutal, the better. Fans are just itching for some blood and guts. Must make good chasers for all the beer they drink … And they call this 'civilization.' Imagine! Thanks for checking in, Lindsay. and G'day! :) gw

Nette Onclaud August 14, 2018 at 3:09 PM i wonder why we enjoy seeing people hurt for the glory of sports ( boxing, wrestling, bullfight included)?... a knock-out of a poem, gershon...huggs Gershon Wolf August 14, 2018 at 8:22 PM Prescient question, nette! … And as for bullfights, they've got to be the ultimate in cruelty … As they say, give the masses what they want, 'bread and circuses.' It was ever aye, I'm afraid. … Thank you so much for weighing in on this one. Much appreciated. Best wishes, Gershon

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart August 14, 2018 at 12:46 PM Oh wow. A little poem of epic proportions. Brutal honest write. I'm well acquainted with the Post-Concussion Syndrome if not the sport... hard hitting touchdown of a poem my friend. xomo <3 Gershon Wolf August 14, 2018 at 8:20 PM First touchdown I've scored since I was 15 (really; no bs), the same year that a Mercury astronaut 'touched down' from an extended mission around our dear planet. What one has to do with the other, I leave it to you, Mo, to figure out. (It's all WAY beyond, and behind, me!) Best wishes, Gershon