Ode to Panathinaikos

[DocHeart]

My father introduced me to you in 1979.
You could say
My love for you started
As soon as he got bored
Of his extra-marital love interest.

The only time he hit me was when
I stifled his enjoyment of the artistry
Of influential midfielder Velimir Jaec,
Penetrative winger Dimitris Saravakos,
Clinical striker Crysztof Warzycha,
Commanding stopper Anthimos Kapsis,
Cat-like goalkeeper Joseph Wandzik.
I'm grateful for that
So I've been paying for his season ticket
The last eleven years.

How can I forget
Celebrating Lyberopoulos
Winning a penalty by diving
Against Juventus?
November '99 it was
And I had no idea
I was going to be divorced soon;
I celebrated quietly
Kissing my TV set
As my seven-month old daughter was
Just nodding off.

So you win the league as
Often as
My parents had sex after they had me
Once every thirteen or so years.

Yet so many moments
I count by your presence,
Your annually alternating kit,
The beloved shamrock on the badge,
The kids that walk down Alexandra's Avenue
Holding up their green and white scarves
Yelling "I live"
Or something like that.