The Shoebox - Day 19

Joey Browner
Safety - Vikings
#211, Topps, 1987

The general and the deep man are reading
one another, ninety feet of tragic chess
between them. Not the safety's move but
he's grinning. Imagine standing half-naked
before the thresher, barking Morse code in snow,
trying to make old men feel good about
their choices. For what? A nicer spot
on the float? Better back here, suspended
in patience, like a pendulum over a pregnant
belly. Better they guess if your body
is strong or free until they see you move.
Better to get fat off the other guy's mistakes.