The Game

The wickets were all set
Street cricket was the name
Armed with just bat and ball
All that mattered was the game

Broken windows revealed angry neighbors
Of course, I was to blame!
While the road dogs kept watch
All that mattered was the game

Cheating was an accepted no-no!
Mr. Umpire was so lame!
Whether it was a six or a four
All that mattered was the game

If one got clean bowled
They experienced the walk of shame
But a duck out or a century,
All that mattered was the game

Cars, bikes, houses, kids
Every obstacle we overcame
Cuts and bruises were proudly worn
All that mattered was the game

Friendships forged through fights
Winning and losing? Never the same!
What I learnt there is who I am
All that mattered was the game

It was a simpler time
With no delusions of fame
On that street of my past
All that mattered was the game

We grew older and busier
But the street we did reclaim
At the end of the day
All that mattered was the game