I

The ball on the wet grass.

That moment where the world around you stops,

and it’s just you and the other team.

The sloshing sound of your opponent getting ready to

hurl the ball, that game changing ball, covered in mud, that’s

treasured like gold on your field with the white lines.

This is the moment when the crowed just sits there, murmuring.

And you get ready, get into your stance.

Hands out, legs apart, your knees bent,

 with your toes on that white line.

The line that really counts.

II

She comes;

ready to score that game changing goal.

And you stand there ready, determined to stop her.

She kicks it. Aimed for the top right corner of your goal.

And you dive, dive for that ball,

for your team, and because you have to stop it.

Then everyone gasps and there’s a short

second of silence.

And then a roar erupts from the crowed.

Because you saved that ball,

that game changing ball.

And your team runs up screaming, and cheering,

because they know  that our team, won our

game. Our beautiful game.