seven games on tv today

i used to like

sports.

played them all 

from

baseball

to tennis,

to football

and basketball.

i watched the games,

on tv,

one per week.

i read the sports page

every morning

to check the box scores

on my favorite players,

or teams

i had cleats and jerseys,

gloves

and pads,

helmets and whatever

each sport

needed.

i played in the mud

and rain.

i sat on bleachers

in cold stadiums,

or on

hot July days.

i wore the colors.

i sang the songs, i hung

the flag

out on the porch.

i yelled and screamed

with each

loss or win.

and now.

not so much.

there's too much money

in it. too much

worship.

too much narcissistic

fame.