The End Is Near!

Monday, March 31st, 2008 marks the last full week of the NHL regular season, and the final week of the Islanders season. None of the faithful want it to end. But there's nothing we can do about it, except enjoy this final week and all it hands us. Win or Lose, we need to savour the moments before we pack up the memories for another year.

I noticed someone asked about practices this morning on our NYIC message board. I was there last week, just to sit and listen before it's all gone. I arrived late, so I missed the bulk of the real work out. But I didn't mind. Bruno and Franz were out there, and with just the two of them, the sounds were clearer. So there I sat, with pen in hand...

Listening to steel on ice

and pucks against the glass.
The cold on my fingers
will all be gone soon.
Softball season will soon be here
and it will take over my free time.
Gone will be florescent lights and crisp air,
replaced by sunshine and diamonds in the dirt.
I’ll put away the game clothes and the orange high tops
and take out the khaki shorts and sandals.
My Islander necklace will go back in it’s case,
only to be brought out at draft day
the Stanley Cup finals and our NYIC summer party.
It will seem lonely without my Islander friends around
but life will go on, and so will hockey.
Just without the Islanders.
XM will have to keep me company
and Yankee games will lull me to sleep.
To Sleep… Perchance to Dream
Of Steel on Ice
And cold crisp air
And the sound…
Of pucks against the glass.
What a season it’s been.

Thanks to everyone who made the past six months so very special.