HAT TRICK

In honor of my nephew, Thompson Schuler Teague, upon the occasion of his graduation from High School...

HAT TRICK

 

A kid whose future knows no bounds,

In him, looks, talent and brains are found!

From us will be heard no discouraging sound:

For this kid: our Thompson!

 

A budding man who knows his Lord,

In whom is much potential stored

For whom “Christian” is more than a word:

Is this kid: our Thompson!

 

Expertly crafted, a delight to all

In class, at church, at home, in rink

Mighty mounts shall to him fall

Whatever goals he sets, I think

 

Are his to be conquered; his ice is slick"

Destined is he for one grand Hat Trick!

 

 

Mark Teague

May 31, 2012

Author's Note

It has been gently pointed out to me that not everyone is famoiliar with the term "hat trick", which, as I knew it WAS familiar to my nephew, I hadn't bothered explaining. A "Hat Trick", in hockey, is what it is called when a single player scores three goals in a single game, a very rare and some would say magical event. The term probably refers to that old magician's standby of pulling a rabbit (or doves or handkerchiefs) from a hat.

Reviews

[Constance Payne]

A hat trick is a great feat, I too would say magical. I do not watch hockey much but the tribute within this writing makes me think maybe I should more. Very nice.
May your nephew find moments of pure perfection each day of his life.

[Mark]

But of course you realize that the poem ally ISN'T about the three goals, but the fact that the nephew excels in three different areas of his life? The metaphor of the hat trick was suggested by his love of the sport of roller hockey, and his having scored a hat trick earlier in the day was purely a (delightful, serendipitous) coincidence!Nevertheless, I thank you for your kind words!

[LA Lorena]

Canadian chicks know what hat tricks are! Congrats to your nephew, and to you for this fun tribute.

[Mark]

You'll not disparage us TOO greatly if I confess that his sport is ROLLER hockey, would you? His team IS sponsored by the Anaheim Ducks, though. Regrettably, there are but few venues in southern California which could sustain ice rinks at the amateur level! (FYI: He's playing for the Lindenwood (Missouri) Lions, now; who knows but what he might be drafted in a few years?)

[LA Lorena]

hockey is a great game, be it on ice, floor or wheels! I pass no judgement!

[Mark]

From a Canadienne's point-of-view, would you agree that the fights are an integral part of the sport's appeal to so many? I personally don't think so, but I've been disagreed with before; as you say, it's a great game!

[LA Lorena]

I don't like them myself. It does not add to the game as far as I am concerned.

[Samuel Dickens]

A fine tribute to your nephew. May the path before him be relatively free of potholes and mean women.

[Mark]

WOWZERS! It LIVES! Howya been Sam, haven't heard from you in a coon's age!

[Samuel Dickens]

I'm still limpin' along on the rim.

[Mark]

I can definitely identify with limping, pal! You take care, hear?

[Jack...]

I know what a hat trick is, being a big hockey fan and now I know who Mark is and I'm quickly becoming a big fan. Nice sonnet.

[Mark]

Appreciate the praise, notwithstanding this isn't a sonnet, despite its fourteen lines. Wrong rhyme scheme. But thanks, nevertheless!

[Jack...]

Ok, you got me on that one.

[Mark]

Didn't want to get too much up in your face, but an AWFUL lot of people here append the term to their verse wrongly--we'll assume it's out of ignorance rather than an attempt at subterfuge!--and, as it is probably my FAVORITE form, I could hardly commit the same sacrilege! I've even written poems, intending them to be sonnets, then discovering later I had made a rhyme-scheme error, and had to go back and make that admission in an Author's Note, inventing a new term: "Sonnetine", or "Sonnetoid", or something like that, (see "That Princely Tide", RR pending)

[David Lewis Paget]

A nice dedication to your nephew, Mark. Hat Tricks of course, are common knowledge to anyone with an English background, both in soccer and in cricket, where three wickets will get a bowler accolades. I had no idea where the expression came from however, so you have enlightened me on that score.

[Dr. Wood ?]

being a 'soccer' man I understand Hat Tricks....scored a few in my time. I would have loved for something like this to have been dedicated to me...Shows great pride, passion, humour and LOVE

[Mark]

I didn't know the term was used in any sport other than hockey...We live we learn...Some of us anyway!

[Dr. Wood ?]

there is only one day in your life when you will know everything and may that day be long away

[R J Askew]

Great job. You know how I like 14 liners. And I esp like the subject matter here. It is great think to see youth in its teens when it is full of potential, esp when the kid really has a range of talents. I can think of such a kid at my son's school. He is popular, academically able, plays hockey (non ice variety), is sensible nad intelligent. He is going off to Cambridge to study medicine. O and he was head boy at school. Above all he is modest. All in all a fine package of good human qualities. Your poem conveys a similar appreciation of Thompson. May be prosper.

[Mark]

Like your son's friend, Thompson also plys roller hockey, so the line "his ice is slick" is a bit of a misnomer, for the sake of the rhyme, and the greater recognizeablility.

[An owl on the moon]

Your words seem to sing and dance, Mark, and what a joyous dedication to an obviously wonderful nephew! May he soar high and long, and find strength in God's grace and all those who surround him with love and light....

[Marie]

I am quite familiar with the term "hat trick", and I am sure that your nephew is destined for one. Just as mine is.

[Dean Kuch®]

I, for one, love ice hockey ( GO CINCINNATI CYCLONES!). Sorry, I couldn't resist that little "plug". More important though, I loved this piece as well. I am sure your nephew will score many...