The odd house

along the main road to Liverpool

had fluttering bunting pinned to the doors

and hanging from the outside

of the recently varnished windows, hand drawn

pictures of heroes who lifted

the European Cup

in their name, and Shankly legend

and Paisley lore, of Kennedy penalty,

of Hughes, Crazy Horse

and a small child kicking a scuffed

second hand football against a wall

in Anfield, Toxteth, Bootle and Cairo,

dreaming of putting on the red shirt,

someday, to hear their name resonate