Fight for Their Lives!

Shake the grip of the factions

Prove you have true worth

Take prompt and proper actions

If need be, move heaven and earth!

There is profit no denying

It threatens real pain

So, find the guts for defying

Those fixated on political power and gain

Fight for their lives

Though it may cost you money

Fight for their lives

Make children safer and our future sunny!

It’s time for steel in the spine,

Look fate straight in the face

Don't pretend everything is just fine

Give voice to justice; put fear in its place

Come on hard and with purpose

Fix your mind on a victorious end

Bring a halt to this circus, and

Make gun death numbers finally descend!

Larry Conley

19 May 2018

Every day, guns kill 7 American children; since 2012, 1,500 school shootings have taken place. 

Criticizing the Parkland students as entitled is irrelevant. Their message is compelling, timely and long overdue. They are raising their voices and asking all of us to join them. And we should. 

Photo credit:http://www.iowastatedaily.com/opinion/article_60fa05ca-35d8-11e8-8e27-1b881698a101.html

Next-Man-Up

“One of the strengths of our team is a next-man-up attitude.”

Mike Sullivan – Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins

Teams eagerly seek to get up to speed

They strive relentlessly to advance and succeed

No stone's left unturned to get all they need

They make bold moves as the season comes to a close

And hope in the playoffs to profit from those

At the season's start hope fills every mind

They're shoulder to shoulder at the starting line

And will do all they can to leave each other behind

They’re proud and glad to seize every gain

They extol splendid efforts and exult playing through pain

Pressure mounts day by day and game after game

When the regular season comes to a close

The playoffs begin, and tension dramatically grows

There is neither respite nor an end to strife

In every series, each team fights for its playoff life

Starters are crucial, but sometimes they fall

Then, teams and fans realize stars can’t do it all

One series ends, and another begins

The past matters not; neither losses nor wins

If a starter is injured and unable to play

Some unsung hero must step in and save the day

In the grueling quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup

Victory usually turns on the efforts of the next-man-up!

Photo credit: https://theathletic.com/137149/2017/10/25/riley-sheahan-made-an-immediate-impact-in-his-penguins-debut/

Going for the Win!

How many shots must a man knock down

Before we call him the man?

Yes, and how many times must a good guy prevail

Before we all see he still, can?

Yes, and how many times must the victory flags fly

Before their unfurling is planned?

The Flower, my friend, is going for the win,

The Flower is going for the win.

How many times must a man rise up

Before we don’t need to ask why?

Yes, and how many cheers must one man earn

Before people, say he’s the guy?

Yes, and how many depths must be reached till we know

That none have more depth than this man?

The Flower, my friend, is going for the win,

The Flower is going for the win.

How many years should a franchise exist

Before it's as good as can be?

Yes, and how many years do teams have to persist

Before they're able to break free?

Yes, and how many times need a man hold up his side,

Before all of us finally, see?

The Flower, my friend, is going for the win,

The Flower is going for the win.

A Speed Game

Come all you young players listen close while I sing

For the love of hockey is a demanding thing

Hopes can flourish and then burst into flame

Which makes it essential to learn and play A Speed Game

Your age matters a little, but your name matters far less.

The home that you come from may provide succor or stress

You've worked all your life for victory and fame

Now you must prove you can expertly play A Speed Game

It's many long years since you began to play

And Pee Wee and Juniors have gone by the way

You've read of your heroes, and you wanted the same

Now show them all you can play A Speed Game

Hockey is all that a great sport should be

For over a century it’s grown in popularity

You’ve given up youthful leisure to drill and to train

But it all comes to naught if you can’t play A Speed Game

For years you have tried hard in various roles

Now It is crunch time for your hopes and your goals

And I hope I spoke the truth and made it quite plain

To triumph, you must brilliantly play A Speed Game

Come all you young players and listen while I sing

Success in hockey is a challenging thing

It takes years of learning and a spirit aflame

And requires you skillfully play A Speed Game!

Inspired by Mike Sullivan’s answer to the question during game six v the Flyers: “Do you need to make it as physical as they’re trying to make it?” Coach Sullivan replied: “No we’re just trying to play our game. We’re trying to play a speed game.” 22 April 2018