sports fans, fanatics, armchair athletes, experts on the game
they know every player and every victory and loss
wearing their knowledge proudly like a badge on their sleeve
and they laugh at the ignorant who don’t

I pity them, the poor, pathetic souls
empty lives with no ambition, lost in youth
by injury, or decision, or just plain sloth
dreams never realized, they now ride the pine

revering those who made their dreams come true
living through their heroes
playing along inside their minds
fighting for victory while they always lose

but they do gain acceptance and comradeship
shared joy through common goals
exaltation in united moral conquest
it must be nice
but I’ve never wanted to fit in
to be part of the team
that’s why I didn’t play sports when I was a child

now as an adult, like then
I’m asked to join the game
sometimes I do
it’s fun to belong
sure
but most of the time
I cannot be bothered