don’t be late to the tailgate
half raw bratwurst and half warm exhibition beer
to wash it down with before the real
drinking game begins in an hour or so
long since removed from the last semester
valedictorian speeches /// hats in the air
filing in to see the gladiators battle
glancing over at the student section
with just the slightest pangs of envy
for their only starting the second quarter
while you near the fourth ( if you’re lucky)
till the reaper blows the final whistle
blue and gold mixed with silver and red
on a canvas of green
in easels of silver
one autumn afternoon -- cool
under a gray sky turning to november rain
wind picking up and throwing darts disguised
as raindrops
smash into a giant muddle
turning the palette into a puddle
meaning nothing, nothing but trouble
fall to the ground all the king’s horses
the roar is deafening, the cries uplifting
the band plays a jukebox on repeat
get drunk and sing the old school fight song again and again
I wish the song girls were here
fight on - drink on - sing on
scream on - on and on
