For Steve Gleason, our hero
On Monday night, September 25, 2006
The hated Atlanta Falcons were set to invade
New Orleans and the Louisiana Superdome
The city and its people still reeling in the couvade
Dumped by the might and fury of Hurricane Katrina
To take on our beloved boys in black and gold
Aglow and sparkling in the ethers of the night
The reborn Superdome unveiled on worldwide television
No longer the ravaged cavern that was a last minute haven
Ripped apart by the might and fury of Hurricane Katrina
For that one night, the images of past raw misery graven
In the psyche of the city and its people suspended in abeyance
On that Monday night, fervent hope and anticipation
Pervaded in the Superdome, in the streets of New Orleans and beyond
When Green Day and U2 performed their inspirational duet
“The Saint are Coming, The Saints are Coming”
Emotions ratcheted into excitement of monumental proportions
Setting the stage for an unforgettable homecoming
When our beloved boys in black and gold took to the field
Our voices rose as one in thunderous homage
Young and old, men and women, friends and strangers
The might and fury of Hurricane Katrina rendered into ashen memory
For that one Monday night, the Saints were our Lone Rangers
Out to erase the daily injustice of trudges, drudges and grudges
Prayers and arcane recitations filled the air
In between Hank Williams, Jr. belting the MNF anthem
And Irma Thomas singing the Star Spangled Banner
Then the game commenced, the Saints versus the Falcons
T’was Coach Sean Payton’s home debut as master game planner
But it was Number 37 that stole the show and set the tone
Like the floodwaters that broke through the earthen levees
Propelled by the might and fury of Hurricane Katrina
Saints special teams guru Steve Gleason, that was his name
Blasted up the middle and blocked that first Falcons punt
Barely one and half minutes into the game
The loose ball pounced on in the end zone, touchdown for the Saints!
Photo by Michael DeMocker
September 25, 2006
Times Picayune archives
Pandemonium broke loose in the Superdome
In a decibel splitting aria our voices rose as one
Who Dat! Who Dat! Who Dat says they’s gonna beat dem Saints!
The Falcons knew then and there they were done
Bowing in acknowledgement to the inevitable conclusion
This Monday night undeniably belonged to New Orleans
23-6 was the final score of the game that Monday night
Steve Gleason’s heroics etched forever in Saints lore
The Saints made it that year to their first ever NFC championship game
Along the way, there were many more unforgettable moments agalore
Lifting New Orleans and Saints faithful fans more and more
Out of the heartbreak wrought by the might and fury of Hurricane Katrina
And before you wonder why I chose to write a football related poem
It was born out of perfect timing and inspiration
Because on September 25, 2011, five years later
Before the Saints took on the Houston Texans in the Dome
Faithful Saints fans rose in standing ovation
Welcoming honorary captain Steve Gleason home
Our homage was not without sadness and heartache
For earlier that day it became public knowledge
Our hero who blocked that Falcons punt at that Monday night game
Has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease
We all will forever remember Steve Gleason’s name
And offer our continued love, support and prayers for his personal battle
Photo by John McCusker
September 25, 2011
Times Picayune
©Lynn Kupfer
All Rights Reserved 2011
