One ball

one shiny, patched-up ball

holds the pride, the success, the victory

of a nation.

One kick

one boot into a precious, heavily-guarded net

defines the strength of a team.

For months

the journey has progressed

on the dance of light feet and fancy footwork,

tossing power at their heals.

Goals and saves

mark the face of history

and the face of fans,

as their hearts follow the mighty warriors.

One team

one army wearing the azure sky on their backs

leads a people.

One match

one duel with the enemy

defines their identity.

One measly mistake

gives a hand to the enemy

and the dragon gets ready to kick.

Victory ricochets off the net

and bounces behind the border,

the guardian unable to stop it.

A nation bites their lip in misery.

One success

makes up for a failure

when one hero heads the ball into the enemy’s lair.

A people has regained faith.

A battle of endurance and skill

lasts for a lifetime.

The knights attempt a score,

but they fail.

The dragon pummels the ball

but the guardian

with a golden hand

flicks the ball away.

The dragon roars in fury.

One rude comment

awakens the anger of the beast,

he head-buts the blue knight in the chest.

A flash of red

sends the dragon off the battlefield.

Hope flickers in the eyes of the world.

No extra time may help either army.

Fate is named by a shoot-out.

The azure soldiers

toss the ball into the monster’s cave,

while cheers from the outside world echo.

The enemy kicks and scores

but one lone trial forfeits.

The knights take the lead.

The last of the five,

a knight of large potential,

holds history in his hands.

The world waits on baited breath.

A few light steps,

a massive kick,

and the ball goes in.

Victory.

His team mates run to him

screaming in joy

while the world around them roars

like thunder crashing through the battlefield.

A nation cheers in jubilation

with tears in their eyes.

Stars sparkle and illuminate the team.

Their king,

the leader of the blue knights,

ascends the platform.

He is handed glory and honour

in the form of a golden ball

and holds it up to the gods.

Lightning and sparks shoot through the air.

Their song proudly plays on,

while their coat of arms,

a drapery of green, white and red,

floats in the sky.

It is the blur of the tri-colours.

Celebration makes its way across the globe

with Italy’s win of the FIFA World Cup.