My Rugby Life

He wore-out his strength,
Spent his energy, gave his all,
In the scrum on the grass,
Tackling, running after a ball
With the other young toughs
Sweating through a cool fall
Afternoon, with nothing much
To show for it afterwards
Besides bruises, cuts, and such
Satisfaction that can be had
From advancing a ball across
A line, heroically -- yet it's sad
So much was expended, in a loss.