Title: Sport 21: Spring 1998

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, October 1998, Wellington

Part of: Sport

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Tall Poppies, Sour Grapes, and a Lemon

1.
Look, Ann's got an ice cream
that's not fair
and why is she allowed
to dye her hair?

Phil's gone to Europe
—it's alright for some
I hope he gets homesick
cent-less and glum.

Now Ann's got a bonus
why haven't l?
She thinks she's so clever
why should I try?

Phil's in the A team.
Don't think I care
his father's in prison
and mine is the mayor.

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2.
My spirit is mean
it's stingy and dry.
If I give up snitching
I might start to cry.

If I start to cry
my rib-cage might shake
If it rattles and loosens
my meanness might break.

If my meanness breaks open
what will be there?
There'll be disappointment
—then a gust of fresh air—

and since life is a jumble
of fairness and fate,
for god's sake slip into it.
Tremble, and mate.