Gridirons gleam like sun drenched jewels
Emeralds
With a stadium setting

Gems dotting a landscape otherwise torn
With poverty, abuse, unemployment

Coins are tossed across the nation
Seas of fans rise in waves
Fathomless ocean of lapis lazuli peers overhead

For a frozen moment
The beauty
The struggle
The sweat
The drama
Elevates the spirit

Titans locked in mortal combat
Heroes battling fate
Destiny unfolding beneath empyrean eye
Gravity defied

But, alas,
Earth wins
Final horn sounds
Fantasy fades
All is grounded

Later, exodus complete,
Some fast asleep,
Awakens the question unrequited:
Are we bejeweled
Or benighted?