Stop all the clocks, cut off the Almanac,
Floreat Pica’s manic frenzy to honour fallen Mac,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, for Embley’s stumblebum.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message Eagles Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the grieving Freo Dockers,
A sullen western sunrise when both teams put in shockers.
They were my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday jest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that finals would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: not a glint of Nic Nat;
The bravest of Jolley’s made him look flat;
Pour away the ocean and Eddie’s Collingwood;
Six months to lament – the Pies were too good.
(Apologies to WH Auden)
Beautiful poem Peter (beautiful rewrite really) but I guess you don’t want to hear that from a Pie supporter.
I’ll say it from a Saints supporter, beautiful poem Peter and I can feel the pain. Brave effort from your boys but the Pies have unfinished business and an “up yours Mick” to be had. And they have had several years of finals and Grand Finals experience so they know about that other gear that’s needed at this pointy end of the season. But I will say this: you’ll be back. Both WA teams will features again next year, they are only improving. I’m really enjoying watching it when my own heart break is completely out of the equation.
Keep up the (stealing) of beautiful poetry
Yvette
Enjoyed reading your/Auden’s poem. It really did stop all the clocks and everything else when I first heard it read in the film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’. Ironically, just about my favourite comedy. As a moving interlude between all the laughter and romance it was perfect for that film. In your case it was a lament of course and I feel your pain as a long-suffering Bulldog supporter.
I still can’t believe the Eagles were beaten. They had everything going for them except the venue. A great big-man strength, some of the best on-ballers in the League and lots of talls on the forward line. How could Kennedy be so piss-weak last night and yet kick ten goals against the Bulldogs? Even our second choice fullback couldn’t be that bad…or maybe he was. Nic Nat and Cox had a shocker of course which didn’t help.
I think it’s a case of finals footy being so different to home and away matches. No wonder it’s so hard to pick the likely grand-finalists at the end of the home and aways. It does stress the importance of finishing top-four and particularly making sure you fight out the finals on your home turf. In the meantime with all that talent at the Eagles, they will be finals-bound again next year.
Fitting homage to Auden Peter B. It’s been a week of real and metaphorical deaths. Eagles will take some beating in 2013. I bet Embley would be wishing he could turn back the clock and erase those crucial clangers.
It certainly made the 3 point Pies win so crucial.Reverse that and you reverse the H & A standings, all other games’ results notwithstanding.I knew I’d feel bad later about Cloke kicking a goal after pushing Eric in the back in the first quarter.
For the want of a free the goal was kicked
For the want of the goal the game was lost
For the want of the points the ranking was lost
For the want of the rank the home game was lost
For the want of the home game the advantage was lost
And all for the want of an Eagle’s free
Sad,I know.
Fantastic stuff