Ex-Varsity

It's too late now for you to make a splash.
Although you cleaned it carefully, by hand
your lettered jacket's faded in the wash.

Athletic fame burned out in just a flash
and though at one time, you were in demand
it's too late now for you. To make a splash,

you'll have to start by slinging wads of cash
the last resource that you can still command.
Your lettered jacket's faded in the wash,

a colorless and threadbare piece of trash,
unwelcome greeting from an ancient land:
"It's too late now." For you to make a splash

there's still the river. Weary of the lash
of fame forsaken, leave it on the strand:
your lettered jacket, faded. In the wash

of passing boats, the fabric seems to thrash
and rings on water bubble and expand.
It's too late now for you to make a splash--
your lettered jacket's faded in the wash.

--for Cafe Writing

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