Ground Fight

Ground Fight
by Ray Engle

Frozen ground, trampled, worn
Men stand, shoulder to shoulder, opposing sides
Breath scorching chilled frostbitten air
Hands pulsing scarlet through weathered skin
The viewers rise, loud and ferocious
Anxiety blankets the cries of passion
The wind fondling flags of allegiance
One nominal air-filled treasure unites them into one

In a snap, warriors grunt, stretching into action
The prize, secured by a field general
Soldiers tangle and exert, collapse and run
Over the frozen and torn turf.
Cheers, jeers, anger and joy embrace in the arena
Still, the wind sustains, the ground endures.