a soccer field has been the only place
i've ever been able to show my true face
open air- a black and white ball, round
or any other color, really- whatever was around
as long as it was aired just right
not too soft, weak; not too hard, tight
the former doesn't travel
and the latter hurts badly
i only ever opened up out there
the only time i let go of my cares
the shyness has always been far stronger in me
i had words all along just never learned to speak
not comfortably, at least, to anyone at all
younger than everyone, usually not quite as tall
there's something out there a-field, on a team
a certainty of purpose; a goal, netting, a dream
a direction to go and a way to keep track
a scoreboard, a mid-line, forwards- a fullback
instructions set out so clearly; fantastically simply-
put the ball in the goal, it doesn't matter how quickly