Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply of the dead grass—
The kick that brought this long league to a close… had missed its goal.
Letting his shoulders fall, he kicked at the ground.
Amid the twilight of a mild winter eve,
He breathed deeply of a wind he would never taste again.
Nobody knows the goals you set,
Or what you sacrificed along the way…
Having watched you run
Longer than the cheers endured…
Faster than the crowd’s excitement rose…
I simply wish to understand you, even the slightest bit.
Even after everyone leaves the stands, I’ll be here.
Someone will put on that same jersey
And go on running through the next season.
Even if everyone forgets about you, I’ll be here.
Nobody knows the goals you set,
Or what you sacrificed along the way…
Having watched you run
Longer than the cheers endured…
Faster than the crowd’s excitement rose…
I simply wish to understand you, even the slightest bit.
Even after everyone leaves the stands, I’ll be here.