Poem - Gladiator Tardelli’s Passion

The peak of football, finale Espana nine hundred and eight two
And maybe for once Paolo Rossi is not the darling of this pome
The efficient Germans lineup against a rejuvenated blue
Azurri, Azurri! All roads lead to Rome

We speak of the warrior Tardelli
Whom Fifa describe as the complete Italian midfielder
Who scored before Altobelli
And became a global superstar

Sixty ninth minute, Bergomi passes into the hole
A slide shot,with no bend
Like a heat seeking missile, goal!
What ensued has become ingrained into legend

Tears streaming, chest thumping, roaring, the opposition forlorn
For the unromantic Schumacher things look very lean
This isn't a memory that fades the next morn
Not the look of a professional but the realisation of a boyhood dream

The raw, unbridled joy in unrevised celebration
Yes, pure unadulterated joy can be mean
Has there ever been so much emotion?
Quite simply the best goal celebration ever seen

© Emdad Rahman

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