Late night World Cup eyes

I ask my boyfriend to explain offside to me

I understand the concept but my vision is too slow

to see it coming or judge when it has just been

‘Offside makes me itchy’ I tell him

It feels the same as trying to play elastics

or jump rope as a child

I knew what I wanted to happen but

couldn’t match the idea to the reality

‘Poor hand eye coordination’ my high school

PE report said one year

An infection develops in my left eye

‘Does it feel like there is sand in your eye?’

Asks the pharmacist

Drops sting and drip acrid

down the back of my throat

I dab my face with a tissue and blink slowly

straining my eyes at the screen

At least in matches where there are a few goals scored

I can see what is happening

Between times I let my gaze glaze

and enjoy that ball magic and magnetised

dancing at the end of their feet