Coach Milo

[Snowbells]

Hi there, Fim;
at first I wondered about the "coach", but now I read your poem as a tribute to our esteemed moderator, Milo. Right? Interesting poem.
I would agree that strict discipline acquired in the sports arena will benefit a poet in the art of writing as well.
Just a few suggestions below, indicated in red. Regards, Jerry

Coach Milo
fim 9/6/13

In football (American style)
coaches are quite rough.
They often intimidate initiates
with all sorts of reprehensible stuff[.] remove period and place comma

[N]ever acknowledging the pain of injury (never)
or the existence of fear or doubt,
unless while ridiculing a player
always in a high-decibel shout.

It is a well-established culture
that utilizes the fear they don’t acknowledge
to mold a player into a ferocious entity
designed to cause opponents to shudder.

Pregame directives often included
[“Unleash] the animal from its cage!” (I would say: Release . . .)
Hit the opponents so viciously
“you change their mind about the game.”

As I grew older I learned to embrace,
activities that make more sense.
I enjoy reading and writing poetry,
to sit back, breathe and reflect.

But I have a new appreciation
for my football experience and its adversity.
The conditioning permits me to realize benefit
when Coach Milo critiques my poetry.