THE ROUT
The keeper leaning on his goalpost calls
to his full backs: ‘Boys, let’s stay alert!’
They turn and yawn at him, kick the dirt
Still, the tall one cups his hand and yells:
‘Don’t lose yer focus!’ to the laterals
who are staring at the muddied shirt
of the central midfield, acting hurt
as his holding partner laughs and rolls
his eyes looking at the winger on the right
while to the left his pendant checks the clock
The striker smiles: he’s knocked in four tonight
TheStartingEleven 