October 6th, 2009 . 12:34 am .
By: Guest
by Cowtown
This is no club for old men, nor younger and faster
Barring they’ve learnt at the feet of the master
Amongst the columns and oak-lined fields
That Calvinists built where Pegasus’ city yields.
The master cannot make the center hold,
Renders impotent attacks both brave and bold.
And his army is not of his making, though brave;
The master’s art does not permit them be saved.
He moves with the heart of Faust and with Ahab’s eye;
His alchemy will turn stone to diamond, by and by.
He first forsakes his twin Isaacs, reduces them to motes
One sentenced to the forest seat, one exiled amongst the Goats.
The abacus beads still slide far too infrequent
Children of the singular star find ’tis their turn to be sent.
The manchild to a foreign shore is vended
T’other to an Alpine outpost is recommended.
A captain finds his corps is the work of the master’s hand
His heart weary from battle, he seeks his argentine land.
The master caresses his reports, and replaces most all
Save a small red arrow, the old gatekeepers and the striplings heeding nation’s call.
The master’s army now consists of his son of the winds,
The flying flanks, and the hoary half-contained attacking id.
The master has not a diamond made, but in its place
Is scarlet-hooped quicksilver, warriors with pace.
Though they will, the city walls are not yet breached,
And even then, the master’s cavalry fight on, each to each.
In heart of hearts all know this campaign to be lost,
But all also know the war resumes upon the thaw of the frost.
What remains is to strike fear into those who oppose.
Salt their fields and inflict woes as we have borne woes.
Though there are so many who cannot be saved.
The master can can remind us there is no end to days.
The master’s faith in diamond and mustang is unshook,
and perhaps his gem demands more sacrifice – check the book.
Find the value of an arrow, a gatekeeper, a youth or three.
Though the master be mad, perhaps his horse-drawn diamond shall bring victory.
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Anyone catch Saragosa’s red card? Glad we dumped that guy when we had the chance, he has no place in MLS
Brilliant writing there – was there one particular Yeats passage you used as your base?
I thought this passage:
“Children of the singular star find ’tis their turn to be sent.
The manchild to a foreign shore is vended
T’other to an Alpine outpost is recommended.”
About the two hometown boys (manchild=Kenny Cooper and t’other = Drew Moor)from Texas (singular star = Lone Star) being traded to Germany and Colorado was particularly well done.
that was great. I found that i teared up with joy while reading it.
“Small Red Arrow” great stuff.
Well written but somewhat shocking to find poetry on this site. The Alpine outpost was great. I had to think for a bit to get that it was Colorado but I often forget they are in the league.
Fascinating. . . .
I’m amazed.
“sentenced to the forest seat” – love it.
I really enjoyed it – thanks for sharing.
If William Butler Yeats ever learned that his name was within 50 feet of thing, he’d roll over in his grave. Thanks for the kind words, all.
Chaz, there was no specific source for it, except for three or four phrases. I saw that Yeats was known for symbolic language, didn’t mind rhyming, and was not a stickler for a consistent rhythm. Perfect for a hack like me to do a pastiche!
@Cowtown,
You are either a genius or completely insane. Perhaps a touch of both.
In any case, that is the best writing I have seen on this site in some time, and there is consistently good writing here. Outstanding!
That is quite brilliant. I had not expected the divergent paths of football and poetry to cross so fantanstically in regards to MLS or especially FC Dallas, but for the later, it is certainly a good year to bare one’s soul. Nice work, and shall I say, well done.