For Kyle

From August to December

Or January when we’re lucky

Sunshine and sound breeze

Fold into the fickle autumn

That vacillates between

Days of Indian Summer and

Others of unrelenting rain

Eventually giving way to

Dark, too short days of bitter

Whipping wind

With more rain from near any direction

Or an occasional snowfall,

Which is almost a welcome relief

Long drives with predictable radio chatter

We’ll talk a bit; kids and work

But mostly players and the game

What might happen

What is hoped for

And what is feared

We park and walk and talk some more

Tend to our pregame rituals

Eventually arriving at our seats

To once again greet our neighbors,

Our friends;

Jordan, George, Sam and others,

We know more by face than name

The pregame frenzy

Usually finds me wiping tears

Being together, game after game

Year after year

The hope of what might happen

And the acceptance of what does

Shared moments and memories

The game begins

We ride the waves  

The schizophrenic dance of

Winner’s celebrations and losers mutterings

Then its over and we make the walk to the car

And talk about next time

2012

2013

2014

2014

2015

2017

2018

2019

2021

2022

2023