Amateur

Every sport man’s first ID card, On him imposing, a period to be on guard; When the slimmest interest shows in financial gain, And inglorious quitting is the pain! Not that affluence one does detest: Mounting pressures from the east and the west, One’s body and teeth sometimes rattling While with an irksome low rating battling. A time of anxiety about recommendation: Occasional acting of one under intimidation. Determined pursuits of excellence before judges: One can The Amateur see as he sometimes budges. Not the type to be heard dropping happy hums; A continual heading for home with paltry sums Likely to be rather caught writing his elegy Because of his devalued burnt energy! In football, members of countryside clubs Making fortunate appearances in a local league. On the pitch less of lions and more their cubs And somewhat destined to enact scenes of less intrigue: A status that doesn’t much thrills offer, Its bearers’ faces undisclosed diseases suffer.