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" SECONDS OUT" The ghosts of hometown heroes Combined to cast a spell And the lights of the Old ARENA dimmed For the dinging of the bell. A hush befell the patrons As the calm precedes a storm And the moment that the mitts were raised The fireworks were born. 1957......Ghosts of hometown heroes No longer cast their spell Front row seats were splintered And floors were worn as well. Most folks who'd purchased tickets Began to stay away When it ceased to be a venue For the lads who punched for pay The lights up on the scoreboard Had lately lost their glow As storied stars who'd filled the stands Decided to lie low. A glistening sheen survived to serve Some skaters of reknown The Aces and the Eagles And children from the town Each learned to circumnavigate And leap and spin and glide With poise and with precision to avoid a soggy slide As droplets from the ceiling With no place else to go Fed the growing pools upon The frozen floor below. Come Spring,The ice was melting And the keeper of the lamp Deserted darkening shadows Then scorned the cold and damp When a ghost of William Hartlen was rumored to be seen By some who'd savored hot dogs From his glorious canteen. A tenant in the rafters Proclaimed his final "Coo" ; From high, upon his perches, He'd shared a shabby view. A tired roof was sagging; Its frame was wont to lean. Surviving shingles clung to life; The mice had fled the scene. Paint was slowly peeling, Some doors had lost their sway. And then it was dismantled By the men of Johhny Gray.
Posted by: michael doherty | 11 December 2024 at 04:51 PM
The Shirley Street Arena, opened on Boxing Day in 1921 with " the latest heating systems" ie. several pot bellied stoves, had never been a palace, but it had served the city long and well. It had hosted World Boxing Champions Jack Dempsey and Mike McTigue, wrestling legend Dr. John "Dropkick" Murphy, cowboy singer and gun slinger Gene Autrey and his wonder horse "Champion" , the graceful Winter Olympic Gold Medalists Sonja Henie and Barbara Ann Scott, Hank Snow and countless local legends.
Posted by: michael doherty | 11 December 2024 at 05:05 PM
Nice!
Posted by: Douglas | 11 December 2024 at 07:52 PM