These Are My JOTtings...

When Hope is Challenged

The games again were loss and win,
with home continued poor.
The Seminoles survived quite thin
with Eagles still unsure.

The youthfulness of current teams
leaves much for which to hope.
Integrity rips whole by seams,
though start has strength to cope.

We lack experience it's true
with tortured thoughts of "What to do?!!"
To focus, "Hope we do not lose!"
Defeats us by the sight we choose.

Let's change our focus for today!
Let's help the team and wisely play!
We cannot win, when we are ill,
but focused healing, strength of will
creates new hope the heart to thrill.

We strengthen band of brothers true,
"I'm here to build a wall with you!"
So, if we lose, we lose like men,
and if we win, we win like kin!"

For with integrity we play
as seamless band of brothers stay.
The greatest runningback runs long
because the line makes wall their song.

The quarterback, receivers score
because the blockers opened door.
The flashy parts of body, team
are no more great than others seem.

The fans are here. We're still for you.
We share your pains and joy, it's true!
Relax and play the best you can.
The wins will come as part of plan.

Just spend the time in all you do
becoming friends, who strengthen YOU!
Experience comes often hard
with daily learning yard by yard.

You can't escape the deepest hole
as one by one, but all as WHOLE!
So, bind your wounds the past is o'er!
The future HOPE's one breath before!

by Jay O'Toole
on October `5th, 2017