A day at the cricket – a sonnet for the day

2014-08-15 11.01.52

All the pre-match clutter as they toss to see who bats first.

A day at the cricket

 

The crowd are people-pixels, sun grilled

And shimmering with hope. A boy, half aware of play

Picasso-eyes a girl in red; he looks away

At the sharp head-toss. She’s noticed; he’s thrilled.

He checks the grown-ups, engrossed in chit and chat:

Kids? – All great; work? – a shrug. Vacation

Plans? A nod, a smile, a frown. Commotion –

A wicket falls. Distracted. All half clap

‘That’s a shame’. Boy nods. Pretends not to know

She’s grinning. ‘A beer?’ ‘Yes please.’ ‘Oh good shot!’

‘He’s looking set.’ ‘Good toss to win.’ ‘We’ll not

Be long.’ The boy nods, desperate they go.

Alone, he turns. The girl has gone. First hope soars

Then falls. Life mirrors cricket. A day at Lord’s.

2014-08-15 14.28.26

actually I was at the Oval not Lords, but who’s counting…

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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5 Responses to A day at the cricket – a sonnet for the day

  1. Charli Mills says:

    What a stunning way to embed an analogy–the never-ending cycle of love-at-first-sight and games of cricket. The language mirrors the give and take of plays, ah, then defeat. Cupid moves on, unseen.

    Like

  2. willowdot21 says:

    I love the poem!

    Like

  3. Norah says:

    A perfect catch. Well done!

    Like

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