Wednesday 23 June 2010

England versus Slovenia, 23 June, 2010

A preternatural stillness
hangs eerily in the air
like a question that goes unsaid.
On burning summer pavements
and in chilled supermarket aisles
England is unified, in one shout.
We are united in our desire –
beer gutted and taut of belly
dowager and lager lout.

Flags stream from scorched balconies,
smoke climbs from barbecues
into the clear, listless sky.
Blistered by summer heat
the honking vans announce
that which they normally hide –
the national colours, our hope
bright emerald, white and red
the small weaving figures, our pride.

(NB. The disappointing game ended in an unconvincing, one nil victory for England. The winning goal, the only bright point, was scored by Jermain Defoe – a header from a cross by James Milner.)

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