Twas the night before the World Cup

Twas the night before the World Cup
by Amanda Workman
Twas the night before the World Cup and all through the land,
Excitement was stirring their Vuvuzela's in hand.
The cleats were all sitting in the locker rooms with care,
In hopes that they would some glory soon share.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of soccer balls danced in their heads.
And the teams in their jersey's and the goalie in his kit
Had just settled down to visualize it.
When out on the pitch there arose such a clatter
The goalie stood up to see what was the matter.
Off to the goal he flew like a flash,
Threw on his gloves and got ready to dash.
The moon on the crest of the top of the goal
Gave an eire glow to the field down below.
When what to his wondering eyes should drop in
But a miniature Ref and two tiny linesmen,
With a whistle and flags, one yellow, one red
He knew in in a moment it must be St. Fred.
More rapid than eagles his linemen they came and
He whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Right field, now Left field - keep your eye on the ball
It can't cross that line or "Out!" you must call!
To the top of the field! Look out for that wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!
As sand before the desert storm flies
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So to the sides of the fields the linesmen they flew,
With his whistle in hand, St. Fred followed too.
And then in a twinkling, the Goalie he saw
Two teams take the field with a little white ball.
They were dressed in fine colors from their head to their feet
And they all marched in unison like to a drum beat.
They moved to position one here and one there
As at their opponents they stared and they glared.
Their eyes how they fixed them! Their grins were quite scary!
Their muscles were tense now and their legs were quite hairy!
Their little red mouths pursed in concentration
And their body language screamed "Let's fight for our nation!"
Though they were quite serious, they still were tiny as elves
and the Goalie laughed, in spite of himself.
And then St. Fred with the toss of a coin
Decided who started and who would then join.
And bringing his whistle up to his mouth,
Started the game and the cheers all cried out!
The players they ran and kicked at that ball
They pushed and they pulled and "Foul!" they did call!
The goalies made saves and the defenders defended
The mid-fielders ran and St. Fred almost upended.
Then one of the forwards with his eye on the ball
Flipped and turned and gave it his all
And suddenly as if in slow motion
The ball headed forward and started causing commotion.
This wee tiny player had spotted a hole,
And with one swift kick he scored a GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL!
St. Fred blew his whistle and the crowd they all cheered
While the goalie collapsed and his eyes they did tear.
The game it was over, the team's fates had been sealed;
Then just ask they'd come the teams walked off the field
But the Goalie heard them as they walked out of sight…
HAPPY WORLD CUP TO ALL!!! AND TO ALL A GOOD FIGHT!