Tomboy

Another one of me

couldn't join the football team

played with Dad at the park

and in the garden wAnother one of me

couldn't join the football team

played with Dad at the park

and in the garden with my brother

fell from trees

scraped my knees

scared the life out of my mother,

but I couldn't join the football team 

even thought I was already in it…

 

fourth choice always

after Matty, Phil and Zack

centre mid or striker

just as long as it's attack, 

sometimes even in nets

knew how to give it a good whack.

 

I loved to be part of the team

but all the girls they used to tease

but John always stuck up for me

Laura's shots are on target!

 

But I couldn't join the football team

'cos there was only one of me,

health and safety. 

 

Stockport County were impressed

but I was late changing from my dress

stained with blue paint spilled in panic from rushing

I was only allowed to join the boys if I’d finished cleaning the paint brushes. 

 

Why wouldn't the teachers let me play?

Sir said he was sorry

but had to turn away 

the XY from the game 

made

for XX's.

 

I couldn't join my football team, 

health and safety. ith my brother

fell from trees

scraped my knees

scared the life out of my mother,

but I couldn't join the football team 

even thought I was already in it

chosen fourth after Matty, Phil and Zack

centre mid or striker

just as long as it's attack, 

sometimes I was in nets

knew how to give it a good whack.

Wouldn't you like to play with barbies?

No thanks, I’m part of a team

the girls they used to tease

but John he always stuck up for me

Laura's shots are on target!

But I couldn't join the football team

'cos there was only one of me,

health and safety. 

Man City women

what a group of lionesses

so proud but full of jealousy

‘cos they were allowed to join the team.

Stockport county were impressed

but I was late changing out of my dress

covered in blue paint that I'd spilled in panic from rushing

told I could only join the boys if I finished cleaning the brushes. 

Why wouldn't my teachers let me play?

Sir said sorry

but had to turn the XY away 

from the game made for XX's.

I couldn't join my football team, 

health and safety. 

Reviews

[Chris]

Today: Damned if you do, damned if you don't, damned for speaking OR not, having an opinion any expression of your thought ...as reader, victim, author ...yourself.

A fair write. A real "story". A tale of oral language useage and induced societal pressures and both self and non-self determined social norms expected and resulting from ...historical and societal influence and inference.

[Laura Kate]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this one, Chris. Much appreciated.
Best wishes,
Laura.

[Chris]

You've been heard Laura ...and understood.

[Planet x]

Beautiful memories , I am not sure why but TomBoys girls usually turn to be the most womanly woman , am I right?

It was like you took me back to your childhood , with the little anger of :"Why I can't be as other boys and do what they can? I am the same!"

[Laura Kate]

Yes exactly! That innocent anger and questioning 'why' or 'why not'. Thanks for your review :)

[Coyote Poetry]

In the USA. Girl can play football. My opinion because of my 15 years in the Army. Women are catching-up in all sports. Best soldiers were the women. Could out-do most men. The poem made me sad. I wanted the girl to play football. Maybe next year, in pro-football. A soccer girl from the USA may be a kicking for a pro team. Always a pleasure to read your work dear Laura.
Coyote

[Laura Kate]

Thank Coyote. I spent a lot of time in USA schools a few years ago and I was so so glad to see tremendous encouragement towards women in sports. We're just a little behind you, but thankfully trying to catch up.

Best wishes,
Laura

[Coyote Poetry]

I saw the Great Britain women soccer team. I believe you are keeping up and you are welcome dear Laura.

[barleygirl]

What's stopping me from enjoying your poem, which is a great topic & well-written . . . I hate football & I hate the symbol of football as being what a tomboy would long for, to be considered "whatever"!?!?! Cool? Part of a team? Able to cross barriers? Football is a symbol (for me) of everything a female would NOT want to be, as far as wanting to be equal & free to choose. I think there's alot of animosity surrounding the idea of football in this country, pro & con.

That being said, I really did enjoy the details you pack into each scene to help me see how it looks & feels to this young woman wanting to play football, details that I otherwise wouldn't have imagined, & you paint them so well, I can experience something I didn't think to want to experience! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Laura Kate]

Hi Margie. Thank you for your considered and honest review. I completely understand your viewpoint, and if I had needed to imagine a scenario to convey this message I might have approached it from a different angle. I agree with you entirely, equality does not mean to force the sexes into activities or interests which would stereotypically be attributed to the opposite sex. No, that is not the point at all, equality is found in our freedom to choose without judgement or expectation.

This was a true story of mine, and the first time I remember being restricted because of my sex. I have only witnessed more and more of these examples even through to my late twenties. It took a few years for me to find peace with this little memory of mine, especially watching women now play professionally, I couldn't help but look back and ask 'what if?' So, rightly or wrongly, my experience may be a little obvious, or cliché, but it's true for better or for worse. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it gave me a very interesting angle to view my poem from.

With best wishes as always,
Laura.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we talk about this in my class...we do an essay called "born to be different"
by Camille Lewis which talks about the biological and environmental influences on men and women and the differences....and one thing i bring up is my time back in 1968 living in a dorm...there was a women's dorm right across...and this big island in between shaped like a football field (American football), and how when it would rain like hell the island would become a sea of mud. Within fifteen minutes, there would be a tackle football game playing out in the mud...and it was usually at least a quarter if not half women playing...
If you could play as well as the boys...then they should move over and let you show them....
i think it is mostly insecurity..."we can't have a girl beat us boys"
I despise that attitude.
let the group of lionesses lose...
j.

[Laura Kate]

I would love to come to your classes, Jacob. I hope that your students know how lucky they are!
read moreI would love to come to your classes, Jacob. I hope that your students know how lucky they are!

It's a good attitude to have, if only more would put it to the test! I enjoyed reading about your time living in a dorm, sounds like a lot of fun - and what a nice way to bring people together and make memories.

Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Best wishes,
Laura