A poem for the Germans

An ode to Germany

So as another world cup ends
we must admire our German friends
The Portuguese, they swept aside
Ghana though - well how they tried

no win for them, a two - two draw
a minor blip, an even score
then USA a nervous game
they did the job it's all the same

Three points they got and that's enough
to leave Ronaldo feeling rough
Algeria? they got knocked out
you might have thought it was a rout

but just a goal, a single strike
the Africans were on their bike
The French were next, another win
Into the semis by a sin-

-gle goal, we thought they would get more
these Germans knocking on the door
of history but who comes next?
Brazil - the hosts they weren't perplexed

With bags of style they hit the net
and six times more who could forget
the home nation they were sent packing
Those salsa boys got quite a whacking

so who would bet against the team
who moved towards the final dream
one game away from history
the plan it was no mystery

to win the game, to beat Messi
to score, was this necessary?
on penalties, the Germans knew
would be a fine way to get through

but why risk it? why wait so long?
when so much might have still gone wrong
bring Götze on, he took his shot
it was the only one they got

and in it went - whizzed past the keeper
and as the clocked ticked ever deeper
towards the end of extra time
this poet's running out of rhyme

the whistle blew, the arms went up
the Germans! - they had won the cup!

Sweepstake Poem

An epic poem about failing to win an office sweepstake I organised for the world cup. 

Prizes were available for scoring no goals, or getting knocked out on penalties, as well as for getting into the top four. I hope you like it. It took about 40 minutes to write. 


If you decide you're going to cheat

There's things to do to keep it neat

If, first to pick you get Brazil

Then who would think it luck, not skill

If Argentina's out the hat

This might raise some suspicion that

Of all the teams he could have chose

He still decided to suppose

That Latin flair might win the day

Will Messi's lads go all the way?

Perhaps to know he'll walk away

With something at the end of play

(Considering especially  

Who set the rules, yes! It was he

So picking out a woeful team

What better way, a winning scheme

So Cameroon, Nigeria

Bosnia Herzegovina 

(Apologies, atrocious rhyme

I'm writing this with little time)

Some teams so poor, such rigmarole

So unlikely to score a goal

The chance to share a crispy note

Was that enough to float his boat?

When David chose, give him his due

To pick a team all dressed in blue

A team who had eight years ago

Won the World Cup (a mighty blow

To German hopes and English dreams)

Yes Italy were his it seems

They might not win but they might boast

That they might beat the Ivory Coast

As team most likely to go out

Whose chances would be up the spout

In last sixteen or final eight

On penalties, won't that be great

But no, they failed, they went to ground

And got knocked out in the first round. 

He didn't cheat, it was just luck

He's won nothing, but won't say "bother". 

Hello

I've remembered this exists, and for the benefit of anyone who might enjoy it, here's a summary of the last 2 years.

I have run several marathons - the latest being the London Marathon last week, where I once again failed to get under the 4 hour mark. I did note that if hours didn't exist, I would have been delighted to get under the fabled 250 minute mark. It was a personal best, and I'm still really happy with it.

I've been to the theatre and eaten some food, and much of it was excellent. I highly recommend The Book of Mormon, Matilda, Baltic (that's a restaurant, not a play) and The Swan Inn (in wimbledon, which is now my local).

I've changed jobs, and I'm quite liking it.

Another season as a West Ham Season Ticket holder has frustrated me endlessly with me moving into the "fat sam out" camp in the last few matches.

I now have lights, central heating, music and TV all controllable from my phone. The battery still goes flat quite regularly.

I'm going to have another go at doing some more blogging - see if anyone pays any more attention this time.

Love you byeee!!