Ode to Owen

 

We grew up together

you and i

born as we were

 just a month apart.

I saw you in your schoolboy days

- our schoolboy days,

when you sauntered around

Home Park (Plymouth Argyle)

fleet of foot

quick of mind

deft of touch

while I stood in the stands

living my football dreams

through you.

Just 18, the pair of us
  I saw you put the fear of god

into those Argentineans.

You danced for joy

through their last ditch lunges,

I danced with you

under balmy Ibiza skies

wrapped in the arms

of soon to be strangers

but for one moment

united in rapture.

You had it all

the world at your feet

a path bound for glory

the effortless zeal of youth

pushing you ever onward

and so did I.