Final

They're screaming his name

in this takeaway joint

on Fitzroy street

the tv cuts in and out

as we finger

fork fulls

of deep fried

dinner

the third screen

for the evening

we've traversed the city

drunk too much champagne

and ordered food from irish backpackers

as these guys have played on

and on

sweaty and lean

I lose the bet I made back in the bar

luckily that drunk guy hasn't followed us out here

to collect his winnings

and we all stand in the rain

sweaty

greasy fingered

debating whether to play on

the game

the rain

it's all coming to an end

match point to win or lose

you'll hear the screaching of my sneakers

as I dive to hit out

one final time.