to stand alone in the midst of a crowd,
a congregation of sorts, loud in support and praise
but intermingled with opposition
we are raised in these conflicts, matured by their struggles
nurtured by their victories
a team stands like stones cemented in a wall
united as brothers,       the crowd either condones your cooperation
            or condemns your flourishing
the devil in the midst               ready to laugh
when the risks prove fatal
but you and me become we in these conjunctions
the ball connects us
the fall seeks to destroy everything sacred
in these moments,
but in all these scattered actions
there is the audacious hope of beauty.