PASSION PLAY 
 

Smack that sucker! Do your best!

Send that damned elusive thing

You’ve chased and guarded in

Tunnel-visioned, precisioned

Slide—up, down, back, forth,

Across, along, around about

That glassy, glistening sheet...

Pocket-deep into the mesh!

Effecting flashes of recognition,

Honor won, displayed in rituals

Of gloved arms jerking back,

Smiling, soundless screams

Lost completely, drowned out

In the frantic, roaring thunder;

The small, black disc rests quiet,

Reveling in self-import, satisfied,

Its success-sweetened journey

To the forbidden zone over, it sits,

Riveted focus of every eye while

Opposing forces furious, enraged

Like salivating Coliseum crowds,

Wail religiously in rightful torment

At this blasphemy, unfair nightmare,

There’s no Barabbas here to sate

An anxious, irate, cutthroat crowd

Who clearly saw the penalty before

The puck had crossed the line.

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