Rugby Sundays

[PulsarPoet]

For some unknown reason I always used to get picked for the rugby team whilst at school. Being very light in frame I used to get regularly battered! Good poem.

[Poemsapennyeach]

is this the only poem written about rugby I wonder...? Love the background.

[dashpoet]

I'm sure it's not, but funnily enough the poem this most puts me in mind of is one about bowls! I heard it here on YouTube, I wish I could remember what it is called. Anyway, thanks for all, Mark.

[andrewnorris1]

Your short lines and their rhythm create for me something of the weaving, dodging motion of the poor guy running with the ball, I say poor guy since only once did I ever play it at school and after vowed never again. However, your poem, in its use of present continuous, conveys more of the excitement and camaraderie then the horror of the game. Bravo.

[dashpoet]

Great comment, thank you Andrew. I'm pleased that the poem comes across as a positive endorsement of rugby, as that has been my experience since my son started playing. A terrific bunch of motivated and dedicated people. Cheers to you too!

[marycigarettes]

i sometimes bang off a krafty one watching the rugger on telly..i have absolutely no idea how the game works..i just sit there thinking'what totty?!'..i wonder if they're cool with that?....i love the almost stoic position of your delivery in this mark...its an epic poem...very very good.

[dashpoet]

Ha! I guess you'd have to ask that of the men on the tv! If it is possible to be a relative rugby virgin, that's me. The stoicism, I guess, that you detected, is born of wet and windy winter mornings, one of the staunch supporters of son's endeavours on the field of play. I'm learning. Cheers Mary!

[charlottepoet]

you always have such terrific rhythms in your work Mark!

-jessie

[dashpoet]

Rhythm is an element of life that I enjoy! I love the music in the words, I try to find it when I can. Cheers to that and cheers again, Mark.

[AntaresInScorpius]

as someone who loves all sports, including rugby(though i dont understand it that well) i enjoyed this poem.

[dashpoet]

I tried to put as much as I could of my hours on the touchline into this, to share the experience! I'm glad it connected with the sports fan in you. Cheers!

[PaulBradford13]

great stuff Mark. wonderful superlatives. sounds a lot like American football.

all the best,

Paul

[dashpoet]

Rugby players are starting to wear body armour too now! Cauliflower ears have long been a feature of the veteran rugby man; too many years for comfort I guess. Cheers to all, Paul, with best wishes, Mark.

[twohawksfucking]

Tough-beautiful piece, Mark. I love this passage in particular: "Buried bodies deep, the singularity, the ball. The source, the sapping reason point of pivot of it all." Nice! Best to you, Roy

[dashpoet]

The nub of it really. The ball has an amazing power over people! Good to hear from you Roy, thank you.

[tinySpectacle]

I don't know much about this game, but the poem is riveting and revealing nonetheless. Nicely done!

[dashpoet]

It's an intense activity! Glad to offer you a taste, cheers Tiny.

[TheDisexists]

A wonderful verbalization of the image of the chaos of 30 burly men chasing a ball round a field. The cacophony of the language evokes this image beautifully.

[dashpoet]

Next best thing to being there?! Thanks for adding 'cacophony', great word!

[ASAngelo]

You got it! Heavens. I used to play. What memories.

A.

[dashpoet]

I hope the memories brought back by this are good ones! Cheers Angelo

[Idlinfarm]

I wonder if these players experience the number of brain concussions that Americans do from football and now suffer early dementia and the Alzeimers that is showing up as a result of the trauma.

[dashpoet]

Undoubtedly a few do, rugby is a real test of courage as well as athletic strengths and skills. A lot has been done to limit harm to people, the game is tightly bound by rules and protocols designed to minimize the risk involved. It is dangerous though, not for the feint hearted. Requires all the respect and discipline that is so evident throughout the team, coaching staff, club. Checks and balances, I guess... and fingers crossed!

[kel2corkey]

Reminds me of my school days.

You captured the game wonderfully.

[dashpoet]

That's the last time I played too! Cheers Kel.

[PoetLina]

Brilliant poem, Mark, but it ain't cricket and it ain't fun! (Not that cricket is, but that's another moan).

If I were to write a poem about rugby, (and believe me I could write a lot!) it would be "somewhat" different.  (Hubbie and sons all played at various times)

5* Fav.

[dashpoet]

Imagine for a moment, crazy cricket with an oval ball! Support of son's determination sees me regularly pitch side, part of winter life for the past few years. The poem came out over the past few days, after a particularly bedraggled session last weekend. Unbidden, yet obviously ready to be written! I have to say I have been impressed by what I have seen, of people's focus and generosity at the club.

[Kabuki0009]

Ah rugby the game I never played not even in school ; P *****stars; )

[dashpoet]

And you from Wales as well?! Can't say I blame you - it's the sort of game you have to want play!

[ozjthomas]

Rugby! Yes, I remember rugby. Interesting game, my foreign friends like to watch it, but we don't play much in the US.

[dashpoet]

A bit of a narrow interest I guess, but still arouses passion! Glad to give a little taster!

[violetparme]

do you realize I ALSO listen to you poems to keep my agonizing English alive? Well, this one is worth the trip! I feel like a novice in a scrum.

[dashpoet]

You may like the mp3 then, easier on the ear than the audio here. Certainly easier on the ears than a rugby scrummage!

[liz1060]

I don't know rugby but this seemed metaphorical for life ... and I got the impression you didn't want it to end -- 5*

[dashpoet]

It's a rough tough old game, life. Happy though to live that as long as I am able. Glad on wintry occasion, though, to leave the touchline and make beeline for the bar!

[EdMuirton]

Excellent Mark! Made me feel the bumps man! Most enjoyed Dash! Cheers Sir!

[dashpoet]

Ah yes, rugby. Game for tough old nuts, and young ones. Cheers Ed!