ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK

If you can dream and not make dreams your master ...
R. Kipling

He's an Armchair Quarterback,
the best in the league
He's played in every Superbowl
and won some in overtime.
He's handed it off to Czonka
and thrown touchdowns to Swann.
This Sunday afternoon
He'll be the winner again.

But when the game is over
he feels the years catching up.
An open field runner, running out of gas
Too many hits,
warm six packs take their toll

Battling into twilight a table lamp by the armchair spots the room,
six o'clock sports lull him to sleep of future seasons, dreams and glory
Where dreams of glory are all that's real.

12-79