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The Last One Picked

My palms would sweat. I’d get physically sick.
Why was I always the last one they’d pick?
There were times I’d not get selected at all.
For a very rough game, I was pretty darn small.

I’d watch as they’d plan, whisper, and scheme.
Avoid if they could having me on their team.
It made me so mad, that I wasn’t very good.
But my Dad had been watching, and he understood.

So, he bought me a goal post, a ball, and a tee.
He encouraged me to be what I wanted to be.
I practiced my kicking whenever I could.
I worked very hard ‘till I got pretty good.

They still picked me last, for nobody knew,
what in my back yard, I had learned how to do.
I’ll never forget that hot summer day,
tryouts for high-school to see who would play.

The teasing began when I stepped on the field.
My jersey so big that they laughed and they squealed.
The coach even grinned, as I heard him say,
“This is not a good sport for peewees to play.”

I stuck out my chin, looked him square in the eye,
and said, “’l’ll show you coach, just give me a try.”
The practice was brutal, even more than I thought.
But then, towards the end, at last came my shot.

Coach asked who would like to try kicking this year.
As hands all flew high, the team gathered near.
He explained how important a kicker would be.
Last season they had lost four games under three.

He placed the ball down on the thirty-yard line,
forty-yards from the goal I had claimed to be mine.
Whoever came closest was whom coach would pick,
to carry the honor and responsibility to kick.

There must have been twenty or more who had tried,
all woefully short as the coach merely sighed.
With hands on his head he looked up to the sky.
I was the last to step up and ask, “Can I try?”

Everyone laughed, ‘till he shouted, “Enough!”
then mockingly said to me, “Show us your stuff.”
As I carefully positioned the ball on the tee,
it seemed like the whole world was laughing at me.

So, I called on the power that God will provide,
Then glanced to a nod from my Dad on the side.
Three giant steps later, my toe struck the ball.
I caught it just right. I knew how after all.

It seemed like slow-motion as the team stopped to stare.
The ball gently tumbled as if floating on air.
The looks on their faces I could never replace,
as it split through the uprights with plenty of space.

I looked towards my Dad now beaming with pride,
then turned to the coach with his mouth open wide.
Cheers were replacing the laughs I’d revered,
on the day that hard work overcame what I feared.

I went on to college and professional ball,
but that was the kick I enjoyed most of all.
I don’t think I’d ever have worked quite that hard,
if I wasn’t picked last on that old school yard.

Author notes

I had no idea where this story was going when I started it. I think it should win because it speaks for the underdog in any situation... when great obstacles present themselves, great victories are obtained.
Kevin Pace, WordsDoMatter

In a list

A contest entry

    I plan to revise this poem: please leave constructive criticism!
    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 16 of 16

  • Maybe Anastasia
    March 8

    Edit | Reply
    haha omg this is amazing. I laughed a little but it made my stomach clench.... great job... it deff fits what i was looking for. I loved the rhyme. <3 thanks for the entry.


  • Captain Obvious
    February 6
    Edit | Reply
    a great story!
    i really enjoyed reading this!
    best of luck! :]


  • Salty Hibiscus gold member
    January 30

    Edit | Reply
    sports don't excite me at all. i know the feeling of being picked last. been there, done that. thank you for sharing and good luck.


  • wingsofgold25 silver member
    January 28

    Edit | Reply
    This is actually more like a story and you are right it would make a good movie.
    I realy liked your rhyme scheem you did it so well
    Thank you for the entry and Good luck in the contest


  • HereComesTheSun
    January 25
    Edit | Reply
    warmhearted sweet and cute
    rhyming fit so well
    great overall work
    thanks for entering


  • chilali
    January 18

    Edit | Reply
    I really enjoyed the rhymes and the story here. Beautiful I read this twice. Hehe. It was just as if I was watching a movie. Thanks for entering and good luck.


    • WordsDoMatter
      January 24
      Edit | Reply

      thank you

      I also think it would be a great movie... someday maybe - Kevin

  • montez gold member
    January 3

    Edit | Reply

    Generally...

    ...pretty good rhyme and rhythm, with one exception.
    Might I suggest a change to get rid of the one flawed half-rhyme of "thought" and "shot"?

    The practice was brutal - they were all big and fast
    But then, in the end, my turn came at last.

    Lastly, I can't understand why nobody has pointed out that you've used the word revered incorrectly. Surely you didn't ADMIRE the laughs you used to get?
    Still, those points aside, it's a moving story, generally well-written, and worth the clap.
    Kind regards,
    Robin.

    • WordsDoMatter
      January 3
      Edit | Reply

      Excellent!

      now that is exactly what I am looking for here. Someone who points out the obvious mistake that I have missed despite having read this hundreds of times. A "real" critique. One of the few I have received. While the flowery compliments are fun, ego-boosting, and seductive, an honest critique is my desire. Each story I write is like a child, where I am trying to correct every aspect, challenge every word, study every rhyme... to the end, perfection. To find just the right balance of words so as not to bore the reader, yet tell them enough that they can develop the story in their mind. Be brief, yet thourough. Then between the lines try to teach some truths about life. Well done fine sir, I commend you... and shamelessly invite you to read (with now an expectation of finding flaws) as much of my work as you would feel compelled to read. Thank you very much - Kevin


  • Robin Candor
    January 2

    Edit | Reply
    This is a wonderful piece and you put an awful lot into it. I was lost in the storyline and didn't have a single place I felt it stunted, stooped, or jittered.That's hard to do in a piece this long. Do not become discouraged if people tell you it's too long, I assure you anywone with patience that really wants to read and not just collect points will appreciate this write. Be well my friend and keep on writing. Cudos.

    • WordsDoMatter
      January 3
      Edit | Reply

      thanks

      you are correct, it is hard to hold people's attention on this longer piece ( that takes like 2 minutes to read, isn't that a telling sign of our microwave fast-food mentality?). I've trimmed it about as much as I think I can. I appreciate your kind words - Kevin

  • A-muse-in-writer
    January 2
    Edit | Reply

    Loved it

    Awesome story and one many can relate to! Thank you for such a beautiful piece.


  • Still Standing gold member
    January 1
    Edit | Reply

    brought tears

    This brought tears to my eyes. I was alwyas skinny and small (and gay) so I mever got picked first always last. I did the same as this character only it was softball. My dad couldn't afford a bat and ball so I used a roll of wall paper (my bat) and a pair of rolled up socks and practiced hitting in my room. My dad would sometimes pitch (he wasn't very goodeither lol) but next time I went to school I hit it outta the park. Oh yeah I can relate thanks for that memory that I can do anything iset my mind to. Yes!

  • Still Standing gold member
    January 1

    Edit | Reply

    brought tears

    This brought tears to my eyes. I was alwyas skinny and small (and gay) so I mever got picked first always last. I did the same as this character only it was softball. My dad couldn't afford a bat and ball so I used a roll of wall paper (my bat) and a pair of rolled up socks and practiced hitting in my room. My dad would sometimes pitch (he wasn't very goodeither lol) but next time I went to school I hit it outta the park. Oh yeah I can relate thanks for that memory that I can do anything iset my mind to. Yes!

    • WordsDoMatter
      January 2
      Edit | Reply

      true, true

      you are so right... the problem most have is they never "set their minds to anything. So, just like you said, they accomplished exactly what they set out to do... nothing. thanks for sharing, glad you could relate to this one - Kevin

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