Game Day

The ball flew up toward day and landed in night, 

And as I sank deeper into the void earth, 

my feet would not allow me to run...

I was numb... 

 

Coach hadn't prepared me for this moment...

It's game day and there's a whole team that's depending on... me. 

All eyes are on me.

And my eyes are wide shut as I begin to ease myself into this unwanted abrasion, this catastrophic situation,

this fight for my life...  

 

With realization came to, defense took aim too, as he seized himself on top me. 

The pain soared deep like 

the collision of a loaded truck smashing into a brick wall. 

Little girls like me are always full of red light. 

We know when something isn't quite right, 

 

(BLOW WHISTLE)

 

This game isn't for me coach!

The selfish thoughts of throwing in the towel encroach like a bear trap's palm

The only exit is rushing into the huddle, 

hazy from body contact, 

and ill-prepared for the next play

BREAK! 

 

First down,

it's over, 

what happened is in the past, 

the ball is snapped and I'm looking for my next pass, and I can't find one, it was never there in the first place

Blind side shot with my next fate, 

the impact was breath stealing and body sweeping, amidst a tussle of tongues. 

My now 98.6 degree body turned celsius, as he fumbles through my shirt.

I thought of reaching for my heart and snatching my own soul myself before he ever had a chance to.

 

(BLOW WHISTLE)

 

This has got to stop, 

the time to talk to mom i mean coach was either now or never 

But it's game day you see and there's a whole team depending on me.

Silence is what my ears ring with while my body still feels his presence, 

"don't tell your coach" he said as his invasion came to an abrupt stop. 

I laid there on the damp field, hoping, praying, that I'd be able to make it through the rest of the game alright. 

 

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

 

The huddle forms, and this time I do anything but rush, 

Lord, please take this pain away, and turn night into day 

because when night came, he came, pain came. 

BREAK! 

 

Second down, 

I looked over to coach and saw her no where to be found... 

the ball is snapped and a hit to the back has left me on my hands and knees 

with him standing directly behind me 

"don't do it, not again, please!" 

But he doesn't listen and all he's concerned with is roughing the passer... 

who knew this man would become my harasser. 

Gravity pressing this monster on top of me

I'm face to face with a demon, panic sweeping over me as his hands move to my nether region... 

 

(BLOW WHISTLE)

 

Flag on the play 

he reached his point of satisfaction and then let out a distinct growl... 

"don't tell your coach" 

My teammates, my brothers, came to mind. The ones I swore to protect, but what good was I to them being a victim of abuse and child neglect. 

I love my team, my little brothers, as pure and innocent as can be... 

my mind said no but my heart seemed to disagree. 

I can't leave the ones i loved most exposed to a defensive attack... 

 

Third down, the whistle blows, and this time I didn't even gain yardage, 

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

sacked at the five, 

(BLOWS WHISTLE)

pinned and I'm down with no where to run... 

I knew that this was it, 

he came to score and didn't give a care whether or not I was willing to submit. 

It was too late, "don't tell your mom" was the last I heard as he exited my gate.

 

I looked him in his eyes and realized that he was old enough to be someone's father, 

I looked him in his eyes and realized he was old enough to be someone's father, 

and right then and there, a piece of me died because I turned out to be his daughter. 

 

My fumble gave him at a 12 point lead 

because I was only 12 at the time he sowed his seed. 

Coach hadn't prepared me for this moment you see, it's game day and there's a whole team that's depending on me.

So I play, battle scarred and heart throbbing. I pray, and hope for a better day.