Sunday, June 17, 2012

The Fields in Gdansk

Outplayed, outclassed, outsmarted,
the Irish team kept fighting.
All hope had long departed,
the wall replete with writing.


Downcast, distraught, dejected,
we watched the savage mauling.
Our rear was not protected.
The Spanish wolves came crawling.


But then we were dumbfounded
as church bells started ringing.
A mighty roar resounded –
ten thousand voices singing.

Neck-hairs stood to attention.
No longer were we dismayed.
We signalled our intention,
although outclassed and outplayed.


Written in response to Kerry's challenge to write a Celtic quatrain at Toads

11 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

Ah, Peter, you have the jump on us in this challenge, don't you? The blood of the bards is still undiluted in your veins.
I love the title of your poetry book - I'm sure it must be one of a kind.

Good to see your work on Real Toads.

Scarlet said...

What a fever this sporting event is ~
To play even when one is outclassed is a brave thing ~

Great form ~

Mary said...

You have written this poem with strong feeling in great form, Peter! May the best team win!

hedgewitch said...

This feels so absolutely natural--effortless and smooth--also very intelligent and exactly the kind of event I imagine a bard of old might indeed have decided to perpetuate in a song-poem. Thanks for showing us how it's done.

Laurie Kolp said...

I agree with everyone's comments... and I love that you wrote about sports with such poetic finesse.

Fireblossom said...

Damn Irish anyway. Oh wait a minute...

(sheepish smile)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

The energy that builds towards the closing builds up in the rader, too. Love the idea of all those voices singing, to give the lads some support and inspiration!

Marian said...

love it! i always love to visit your words. go team!

Hannah said...

You've used this form to perfection to capture your chosen topic! Well played!!

Mystic_Mom said...

Hannah stole my, "Well played" but I can't disagree with any previous comments. You did something really amazing with such an ancient form and your sports passion. Well done!

Gemma Wiseman said...

The alliteration of the "d" sound drums out the passion of a sporting spirit! Dramatic!