The Goal

The best drama
of the game
happens
on Saturday morning,
with a mini-net
and a tiny guard
sitting mid-field,
arms crossed
and sobbing
because no one
gave him the ball.

The best of tomorrow's
players are playing guard
and gossiping about
the cute boy
playing forward
for the other team.

They play like mad guppies,
swarming the ball,
but hesitant at the goal.
They may never understand
what offsides means.
They may never
even score a single point.

But years from now,
they will return,
whistle round the neck,
and try to teach tomorrow's
Peles
and Mia Hamms,
knowing that the best coaches
always bring Koolaid
and cookies.