Casey on the Mat
By Chuck Malooley
With apologies to Ernest Lawrence Thayer, another great poet
Things
weren’t looking pretty for Purdue’s Judo team that day;
The
score was two to nothing with but three matches left to play.
Yes,
when Dave was pinned in the first match and Chuck was choked in the next,
The
home fans all grew silent as they knew they had been hexed.
Few
fans remained locked in their seats, the outcome yet to see
As
hope remained with the very few who understood the "ki".
"Sun
Tzu taught us," Sensei said, "How we can win at that."
Knowing
what would happen soon when Casey got on the mat.
But
Tark preceded Casey, and likewise so did Jim;
These
two were always losing hands; the future looked more grim.
And
upon these two the multitudes would place the losing bet;
The
meet would all be over before Casey could get on the mat.
But
Tark just won by armlock, to thrill the home crowd clan
And
Jim, the much despised, he tore the stuffing from his man.
And
when the mat was cleared they saw the home team still alive;
The
score was tied at two-to-two in time for match number five!
From
the few remaining throats arose a long and lusty cheer;
It
filled the Wabash Valley, and it shattered every ear.
The
bookies ran for cover from the turn-‘round of events
When
they saw Casey, mighty Casey, as he got up from the bench.
There
was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped up to his mark
And
pride in Casey’s attitude as the light shown through the dark.
And
when, responding to the cheers, he bowed to their delight
No
stranger in the crowd could doubt ‘twas Casey up to fight.
The
eyes of all were on him as he tightened up his belt.
And
all the fans applauded when his confidence was felt.
And
while the other fighter shook and trembled every way,
Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye; the
ref called, “Hajime.”
The
gi-clad visitor launched his attack, more desperate
than skilled,
A
strong man would’ve been knocked down; a lesser might’ve been killed.
But
Casey, in a toying mood, just sat down for a laugh.
“I
like this chump”, ol' Casey said; “Koka”, called the ref.
From
the bleachers, black with people, there went up a muffled roar.
Like the beating of the storm waves on a far and distant shore.
“Kill
him! Kill the referee!” yelled someone from the stands.
And
it’s likely that they would have had not Casey raised his hand.
With
a smile of grandeur on his face, his magnanimity shone.
With
a calming motion from his hand, he bade the match go on.
Another “Hajime”, another attack, this time from the right and the
left.
“Maybe it’s your birthday”, Casey laughed, sitting down. “Another koka" ,
called the ref.
“No
way”, the maddened crowd called out, and echo yelled the same
With
a scornful look from Casey’s eyes, the fans were quickly tamed.
They
saw his face grow stern and cold, it belched a fiery roar,
And
they knew that Casey wouldn’t allow this man another score.
The
sneer has fled from Casey’s lip, the cards have now
been dealt.
He
tucks, with cruel violence, his gi into his belt.
And
now the ref calls, “Hajime”, and now the warriors go,
And
now the mat is shattered by the landing of a throw.
Oh
somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The
band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And
somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout,
But
there is no joy for the Boilers’ team ---- mighty Casey got knocked out!
| 
This is the genuine way of Judo,
See More Judo Poetry or Return to the Judo Information Site or Do Judo!