Friday Night Lights
Posted Saturday, September 4, 2010 11:58 AM

Friday Night Lights

By David Roth

© 3rd September, 2010

For the Carol City Chiefs

Class of 1971

 

Orange and black.

Purple and White.

War bonnets and longboats.

Forty-four young men,

eighteen girls

in short, tight skirts,

two marching bands

enter the stadium.

 

Kickoff.

Pom-poms.

Back flips, leaping splits.

Cameras and flashbulbs

fired by proud family members.

Crackly PA system

“And he…

might…

just…

go…

all…

the…

way!”

 

Halftime!

 

Four quarters.

Forty-eight minutes.

Passes, catches, half back options

Fourth and goal.

Touchdown!

Forty-four young men,

eighteen girls

in short, tight skirts,

two marching bands

leave the field.

Twenty-two with helmets raised.

Twenty-two with shoulders drooped.

Cheers…

…tears.

 

Lights out.