Legend: Noun. A historical narrative
featuring plausible but extraordinary events.
Taken: Verb. Removed from a particular place.
The respected minute’s silence.
Black armbands. Bowed heads.
Television programmes
present their prime.
Jittery film
transmits perms, nutmegs, goals,
toothless grins, celebrations, ball control –
hearts and soul
captured inside sixty seconds.
The best of how we remember them.
Stadium fences become memorials,
shrines of scarves, obituary editorials
by fans scribbled on card,
and flowers of all colours –
the only time some husbands, sons, fathers
have cried so hard, or invested in a bouquet.
Women are stronger
and know how to pray.
Statues rise.
Terraces are baptised, given names
and supporters of the beautiful game
keep them alive
with stories, memories,
and jerseys with retired numbers.