Playing The Game Poem by Diana van den Berg
Playing The Game
“ He will be replaced by the new coach as from tomorrow,
and there will be scattered thunderstorms all over the country,
and that is the end of the news”
- with a smile and media mannerisms for the image.
A job and a heart dropped on the same day
because his team was second-best.
What is happening to
“playing the game”?
My children knew - they still do
and so do my cat and my dog.
Playing the game is about
a ball and toy bats
and laughter and running and falling
and clothes in the wash-basket
nobly dirtied by heart, soul, energy
and feeling good about togetherness.
It’s about family and friends making memories
in the sun
in the wind
in the rain
and not remembering who won.
It’s what lions teach their cubs,
a key to life.
It’s about writing with a broken ballpoint
so as not to waste the ink.
It’s about losing with dignity.
It’s about winning with humility.
It’s about understanding
that a game,
amongst many other things,
is, above all else,
fun.
It is not about playing the gain.
(15 October 2004)
Well written, the concept and key points surfaced beautifully.
I couldn't agree more. Sports has become so competetive and its amazing what lengths people go to to make sure they come out on top. Beautiful poem!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
5/3/2024 2:45:13 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Diana, we both come from countries where sport has moved from 'fun' to 'finance'. When winning at all costs is all that matters - and the costs are immense. The money spent on propping up sporting elites in both our countries could reduce poverty significantly. I recall the Learning Co-op, a family run community school where my children spent their primary years, and the teacher - a wise eccentric called Pat Power who took the children to the local oval once a week to play cricket. He used to demand that the game ended in a drawer, no matter what. if the kids began to take it too seriously, he would pack up and go home. A healthy attitude to sport, in my opinion and one that your poem shares, methinks. Sport and weather. What would our radio and television stations have to report without them? Your excellent poem makes a strong moral point, clearly and intelligently. Love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥