Shepherd Meadows Sonnet

Dogs, balls, games, and the meaning of life

In Shepherd Meadows dogs are running free
And from river bank plunging into the stream
They leap and bound unleashed across the lea
To chase and catch a ball, in joy supreme
From beyond the trees the sound of willow on leather
Tells of other games no less inspired
With teams united in a shared endeavour 
Their purpose strong, imaginations fired
The game's the thing that gives the spirit wings
But is it just diversion, thus of no moment
A frivolity in the greater scheme of things
A minor part, a trivial component
Or as Shankly said: 'not a matter of life and death'
Much more important; it gives reason to take breath


Note: I refer above to Bill Shankly, legendary manager of Liverpool football club. His exact words were :-
"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that"
Life itself as a game has been suggested as a reason for living, with its purposes or goals, barriers and freedoms and the physical world a splendid playing field.


 

Tags: happy, humor, inspirational, encouraging, hope,