Synaptic

Jacob’s understanding of football illuminated literal and metaphorical readings of Ed Hirsch’s poem “Execution” about a football coach battling cancer. We also addressed metaphors in Walt Whitman’s “O Captain, My Captain” about Abraham Lincoln navigating the “ship” and the Civil War which inspired this author to combine his passion for football and create this powerful homage of content and rhythm in “O Quarterback, My Quarterback.”

– Dr. Mary Stark and Prof. Beth McMahon

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This poem takes inspiration from the works of Walt Whitman, specifically from his poem “O Captain! My Captain!” In light of Whitman’s usage of powerful figures in the world of politics, this poem takes a path to the road of sports. Sports has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, with football being at the center of it. The narrative of this poem unfolds as I explore a prominent figure who is known as the captain of every football team, the quarterback. This poem seeks to reverberate Whitman’s ability to place the reader in a moment that exudes extreme significance. As we run onto the field of battle, we discover that the quarterback holds more than just a ball but the fate of the whole team in his hands— a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Oh Quarterback! My Quarterback!
Our huddle tight and still
The crowd roars out, the lights burn down,
The night grows cold and chill;
Yet there you stand with steady hands,
The offense awaits your word,
A breathless pause before the snap
Eleven hearts are stirred

But Quarterback! My Quarterback!
The blitz is closing fast;
The pocket bends, your footing slips,
A moment cannot last.
Still through the chaos, bodies clash,
You rise above the fray;
A spiral arcs into the dark–
Hope soaring on its way.

Oh Quarterback! My Quarterback!
Our anthem fills the air;
The crowd erupts, touchdowns made,
We shake off doubt and fear.
But you, exhausted, shoulder bowed,
Know glory comes with cost;
For every win beneath these lights,
A hundred hits are lost.

So Quarterback! My Quarterback!
Lead on with courage true–
The field is long, the season hard
Yet we believe in you.
The final whistle waits ahead,
But now the battle’s here;
Stand tall, command, and guide this team–
Our victory draws near.