Restorations

by Pat Darnell

We are founders unintended
... of sports medicine
we were the cutting edges
... when they invented
special restorative surgeries
... for the body mended

it was our duty back when ....
to offer our booty and then
... as cargo for surgeons' opportunists
our ankles, knees, shoulders and shins
... hips, ham strings, coccyx in stadiums
ribs, elbows, femurs and wrists
neck, nose, ears and craniums

and for athletes who fight and smoke
... a lung or two could be doctor's duty
We invented bruises, strawberries
All those sports injurious pokes ...
... that sound fruity; but we aren't chow ...
... we were there, to bust some brow!

And yes, gave it we our all
... enthusiastic to the wall
followed our coach all the way
out the tunnel hall

e'en to Korea ... if that be the day
we were there to win or fall...
we always showed when called
... smash mouth, crack back, football

Now look we are YMC referees
... and assistant coaches at your call
Saying in the Fall:
"Our knees once tore
when runners swerved ...
on dives when they soared
... ligaments and tendons torn
.. under pressures too great to borne"

And, one couldn't help that much,
since big boys is as big boys does
but aftermath spelled doom
on a College team there's no room
for knees crumbled and busted
... schoolboy dreams' faded to dust did

Today Mister Doctor DeBakey
at the Sports Medicine bakery
they repair knees precisely and quickly
Then you are told ...
... you to get out there and swiftly
and put your repairing knee to task

We used to run on sore knees, yes,
... but not because they convalesced
but because we had a game to play
back then, all that surgery waits ...
... for another day of instigates,

Run like a warrior
... kick like a mule
... dig like a mole
no sniffling, that's the rules

Breathing so hard
... you bruise your ribs
drink tons of water
... not Mr Pibbs

Follow the ball
... follow your coach
... warriors big, warriors tall
... We're stoked,
... smash mouth warfare, football

We old guys really did sacrifice
hoped those who'd come next
... would hear our parables
appreciate what we practice
and understand  injuries' tolls ...
... some aren't repairable .
and football fascism ...
has claimed our souls
and our injuries have played many roles.