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  • in World Cup 2019

The 2019 Women’s World Cup, in haiku form

  • by Nicolle Zamora
  • July 2, 2019
The 2019 Women’s World Cup, in haiku formArt by Hannah Carroll | @HannahCDesigns

To express the idea that this edition of the Women’s World Cup has been inspirational would, at this point, be massively understanding the feeling we all hold in our hearts right now. The big stars and experienced teams have shown up not just to play but to shine a light on the inequities of the women’s game, most notably Marta and Megan Rapinoe, who have dominated headlines. But the newcomers and the “less celebrated” (by the mainstream white English speaking press) teams have made their mark as well. We’ve seen interest in the tournament skyrocket and an enormous increase in viewing audiences all over the world, which has led to worldwide condemnation of the hardships and battles countries like Nigeria and Jamaica have fought just to reach the global stage.

 

So it is not surprising that the football goddesses have been my muses over these past few weeks and have demanded I, once again, return to poetry to express my appreciation for this fantastic tournament and these extraordinary women. As such I present to you my odes to the beautiful game (and its not-so-beautiful moments)—as revealed in this Women’s World Cup—in haiku form

 

An Ode to the Women’s Game

Invest in women

In Africa, Asia, and

South America

 

Watch as the game grows

Opportunity blossoms

And women flourish

 

The seeds planted by

The fierceness of so many

Hands and feet rise strong

 

Odes to the Semifinalists
England

Roars of these lions

Silence the doubts and the fears

All ready to pounce

 

United States

Big plays cull small talk

Fighting for more than just wins

Bursting with stars bright

 

Netherlands 

Hopes buoyed by crowds

Orange hued thundering voices

Blistering forward

 

Sweden

Stunning surprises

Equals Swedish delights as

Expectations soar

 

Ode to Capitalism

Now you want to sell

Such big dreams to strong young girls

Later, just more shoes

 

Ode to White Journalists

Your tired racist tropes

Oh clueless commentators

Must come to an end

 

Ode to the “Well Actually” Crowd

Hush, men, no talking

We are too busy watching

The women play now

Ode to Equality

The game stays the same

Even when played by les femmes

Deserves equal pay

 

Photo by Vincent Michel/Icon Sport via Getty Images

Ode to VAR

We see the signal.

Patience, young Valkyrie. Breathe.

VAR must have its time.

 

Odes to Rule Changes

What’s a penalty.

Rain falling? Wind gust? Hand ball?

I no longer know.

 

Ode to Rule Changes, part 2

Oh ref! Why do you

Ignore that kick and my pain

But have time for VAR?

 

Ode to Rule Changes, part 3

Swiftly she goes – oh!

Yes! There is the goal! Oh. Wait.

Damn. The offside flag.


Ode to the G.O.A.T.

As our tears seep down

Into the smiles you gave us

We thank you, Marta

 

Ode to Players Out Too Soon

To those missing from

Sweet Sinclair to Suck That Sam,

A lesser final

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Nicolle Zamora
Nicolle Zamora (aka @Treble_Nikki on Twitter) was a founding member/co-host of The Treble, a footy radio show & podcast from 2004-2008 written, hosted, and produced by three football-crazed women that didn’t pay the bills but had a loyal & devoted following from around the world in which she was (in)famous for her Beckham gossip segments (technically she broke the Becks to Real Madrid move AND the Becks to LA Galaxy move but no one took her seriously & she is still bitter about that), mascot reporting, and bringing the Fernando Torres Euro 2004 hair debate to the public. She now pays her bills by working in the music industry in NYC while spending most of her free time yelling about Roma, both online and off.
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