Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

The signs must be there at earliest age
for others to see to note and to gauge.
The Slave must remain ahead of the race’
answer demands, whilst desires keep pace.
An army's out there. They hunt and they watch.
They trawl with their nets their victims to catch.
They promise the best ahead of the rest:
achievement and fame in name of the Game.

Often the hunter with ease has his way,
especially if Slave's father has say
and sees for offspring success where he failed.
The contract is signed, son's future impaled.
Then comes a time both of toil and of stress,
engulfed in machine along with the rest.
in danger of losing that sought after skill
so many will seek to crush and to kill.

And even if left with chance of success,
when others have gone who failed to impress,
life in reserves whilst the first team succeeds,
will never inspire or answer Slave's needs.
If he surmounts the obstacle course,
and is ready when called to enter with force
his position to hold, his place to secure,
still time will be short his trophies to store.

Celebrity status with wealth will come.
Slave's value will soar with much to be won
by owners who made him the star he is:
time to remind him that all is not his.
They'll value his worth, strike deals for pure cash,
picture his face to endorse market trash,
secure their return on investment well made;
ensure he conforms, enhances their trade.

Then comes the drop. His limbs cannot stand
the stress and the strain his Masters demand.
When Slave starts to fail his image to fit
and chances are missed the target to hit,
those that have sought for their personal gain
to bleed off feet that won profit and fame,
will abandon Slave to slip and to fall;
no longer master of Premier Football.