They’re comparing how drenched they are –
the chap in the Zabaleta 5 shirt, the beard
in the Keith Curle jersey, the couple in white vests
and navy jeans and light blue running shoes,
the family in matching black and red away kits
with their shared surname #3 on their backs.
They’re swapping photos on phones across
the pub of their team’s open top bus treble
trophy celebration in the only rain of the day
and the years they’ve been waiting to share this
with each other, the town, themselves.
The barman asks what they’ve got
to look forward to now and they say nothing
for several sips of Monday lager
and talk about the weather.

© Carl Burkitt 2023