From First Ball To World Cup

I remember the first time I saw a ball, Those exquisite black and white pentagons ... The geometric excellence that intimated such mystery and excitement ... I HAD to have one, and started saving my money that very day. I was only eight years old, and football wasn't big in the U.S., But I still wanted that amazing ball ... After a few weeks of saving and doing extra chores, I finally held my own ball in my hands, Turning those five-sided panels over-and-over, Smelling that glorious leather ... I was in kid heaven! When I took it to school in my backpack my friends went crazy, All having to hold it and smell it, all filled with the same energy as I, My gut tumbling in anticipation of what amazing things might happen! My little town had no budget for American "football" - With all its pads and expensive equipment, but we did have "soccer" teams, And I joined as soon as I could, for the sake of that amazing ball! We didn't get to see the World Cup back then ... The 60's and 70's being very limited as far as TV sports, But we all followed it in the magazines and papers, And when, years later, we finally got to WATCH the World Cup on television, It was the substantiation of years spent loving a game That not many people even TALKED about in the United States ... A game that my friends and family and little town had loved for years, Now birthed to fruition and delicious reality right in front of our eyes! My friends from other parts of the country had heroes - Heroes like Bart Starr and Bill Russell and Micky Mantle, et al, But MY hero was PELE', though many here didn't even know his name! When TV brought the World Cup to kids like me, the world became bigger, More exciting, and more joyous, all because of that wondrous ball ... So many years before! ~ 3rd Place ~ in the "2018 World Cup" Poetry Contest, Mark Toney, Sponsor & Judge.