a hockey rink
the day after
my dad’s funeral
~
an on-ice incident
explodes
in a dressing room
~
I was jesus
in the temple
casting out sinners
~
self-righteous
impulsive choices
~
protecting my religion
~
dishonouring
my father
my son
my holy spirit
~
I’ll carry this cross
my shame
forever
~
Image: Geo Sans
in canada
hockey was considered
an official religion
~
a player
was traditionally
tough, fast
hard-working
honest, fair
~
the respect
for yourself, your teammates, your opponents
taught important lessons
~
you learned
to win, to lose
with dignity
~
you learned to play
with emotional poise
integrity
~
you learned to play
as a team
believing, trusting
each other
~
sometimes
I don’t know what to believe
~
exercise
playing hockey
comforting my body
my mind
~
we play for fun
for each other
~
my teammates
support, nourish
believe in each other
through all tough times
~
we are
true
hockey players
~
a great season
terrible final game
a tough way
to end the year
~
our dressing room
smiles, laughs
moving along
life goes on
~
regaining perspective
~
attitude
we can all learn
from amateurs
~
1972
vancouver
booing team canada
~
so-called hockey fans
~
disheartening players
embarrassing
a nation
~
the league’s leading scorer
reaches for the puck
vulnerable
blasted to the face
~
concussion, stitches
injured
before the playoffs
~
an opponent’s choice
endangering careers
playoff chances
~
no penalty called
no league suspension
( no respect ? )
~
self righteous intentions
standing up for a brother
spiralling out of control
~
vigilante justice
with sickening consequences
~
cue
the violence
violins
~
everyone loses
~
~
“An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
vancouver
so-called hockey fans
destroy their city
~
stanley cup finals
game seven losses
1994, 2011, …
~
maybe
classless behaviour
never deserves
success
~
Messages of sorrow and hope on the boards of looted stores.
snakes and ladder
slithering new continents / covenants
~
a bombastic tv prophet
bleating new scriptures
envisioning
a new religion
~
kids
always believe in your country
always believe in your dad
always believe in hockey
~
rays of light
falling from grace
~
sometimes
I don’t know
what to believe
~
sharing
anticipating
mental flow
~
identical reflections
complementing
each other
passing synchronicity
through
a city
through
each other
~
sedin photo by per gustavson from a 1999 espn magazine feature
years ago
I saw a young child
swing his hockey stick
hitting the referee
~
kicked out
he left the game
smiling
“high fived” a friend
~
ignore, ignore, ignore … it’s not my business
~
This is what it sounds like
when doves cry
~
Geo Sans 