Hockey Night in New Jersey
Seven o'clock on a crisp December evening
The arena parking lot is filling
headlights beaming
from cars containing hockey fans - yelling, screaming
in eager anticipation
People are converging, impatiently waiting
Four of us are in our car, eating
finally tasting
the sub sandwiches whose aroma was teasing, baiting
for an hour and a half
Ice cold soda from the trunk is close to freezing
The smooth taste so thirst-quenching
deliciously keeping
dry winter throats moist - whetting, feeling
like liquid heaven
The time on the dashboard clock is changing
Toward the big blue open doors we're filing
everyone racing
up the steps, through turnstiles - smiling, trading
tickets for stubs
Through the brightly lit hall with walls curving
we walk briskly, almost flying
quickly turning
when we find our section - numbers shining, burning
purple and white
Up the many stairs we're climbing
We run our hands along the railing
metal chiming
under the ring on my hand, which I'll be continually
raising, finding
total raw emotion
The players warm up, leisurely skating
White jerseys circling - buzzer sounding
Face-off, waiting
for the puck to drop - my heart is pounding, saying
proudly, "Let's go De-vils!"
1996, 1998 L.M.D.
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