You are a symbol of perfection,

Almost perfectly round about.

You are like an enchanting magician,

Always drawing a cheering crowd.

Your crowd is equally contentious

Both on and off the green field;

Your crowd knows no boundary of race,

Age, gender, and religious creed.

You have stolen our hearts since the early 80's

Well before someone else did in later years.

We missed not a single appointment with you,

Despite our heartbreaking dismay and displeasure.

We would glue to the spellbinding TV set,

Even if you did not have a live show.

Riding a roller coaster of cheer and shriek

Demonstrated our unfailing love for you.

You gathered us in all kinds of weather

Be it bright sunshine or pouring rain.

You helped us to build up our muscles

That we flex every moment now and then.

Even as we are admitted into parenthood,

We have kept that old flame burning.

We would steal time to meet you

Despite our loved one's jealous irking.

To say how much we have sacrificed for you

Would be tantamount to unpardonable blasphemy.

We would rather wish to thank you

For what you have done to our family.

(Composed on Dec. 21, 2001 in appreciation of the Edison soccer and Huaxia soccer groups)