As the dust settles over the field
the dreams of many settle with it.

One, a lonely boy, lived through his sport.
There will be no more sport,
as he watched, dejected, from the sidelines
his knee in agonizing pain, 
spelling the end of his dreams.

One, a gregarious go-getter, lived to win.
There will be no more wins,
as he wanders slowly through the dust,
his team eliminated too soon,
spelling the end of his dreams.

One, a feisty fighter, lived to tackle.
There will be no more tackles,
not this year, as he kicks the dusty earth,
his fight extinguished by their loss
spelling the end of his dreams.

One,  reserved and shy, lived for a chance.
There will be no more chances,
as he sits, alone and limp, on the bench,
no longer any hope of filling in,
spelling the end of his dreams.

As the dust settles over the field,
the dreams of many settle with it.