About 8.40 a.m.
Outside a school
I’m wearing hi-viz
Lime and orange

Around my neck
blue and gold scarf
local club

Underneath
opp-shop footy jumper
gift from my daughter
blue, gold, green

I’ve got a Stop sign
a whistle
and my wits.

Primary school kids
some with bikes
some with parents
with siblings
some loners

Drivers stop
at my behest
take the chance
to check their texts

Back and forth
Back and forth
feet upon
the black and white stripes

Then
amongst a group of girls
on the cusp
of high school
the premiership coach
crosses the road
with partner, and
youngster in a stroller.

Like the close-ups
on the telly
when on the boundary
He is there
right there
in profile
and then he is not there
not at all
which is probably what
his opponents thought
during his playing days
not that long ago
three flags in a row

Did the sound of the whistle
take him to the weekend
to umpires and free kicks
to decisions made
in the thick of things
to players
who are good in traffic?

Did it take him
to vast ovals
huge crowds
the big stage
the public gaze
the media scrutiny?

Or did the whistle
simply signal
that the cars had stopped?

Just another dad
pushing a stroller
crossing a road.