It started with a dog toy and an empty hamper

And post-golazo diaper changes

 

It started in truth in rayon orange

And itchy socks and a bunch of boys

 

It started to grow, with girls this time

And a leg that was stronger than the others

 

It started to matter who I was on the church field

And the worldies I hit from the center circle

 

It started to scare me, the ball at my feet

And coming in last place in the park fitness test

 

It started to suck that I was playing down a league

And on the other hand, I was having fun, again

 

It started to hurt when I played at school

And the coach made me the butt of jokes

 

It started to change when he went away

And the award on particle board proves it

 

It started by necessity to make friends in my dorm

And a group that was kind but never that good

 

It started to not matter that I was twenty-years-old

And half the age of the women who went drinking after

 

It started anew, coaching in the hot, hot summers

And that one day our inflatable blew into traffic

 

It started all over again in California

And the best players I’d ever shared a pitch with

 

It started and started and started and started

And started again, five times a Sunday, at least—

 

Until it stopped, until all of it stopped

And I can’t wait until it starts, again

 

Oh, how I can’t wait