My Philadelphia Eagles play for the NFC Conference Championship today and a chance to play in the Superbowl. Philadelphia's city budget is suffering major cutbacks in programs and many people are unemployed - it is not a great time here as it is not in most places in the world today.
But today, excitement is in the air. Everyone is smiling and hopeful and filled with pride.

Ian Ayris has a novel appearing on FanStory right now that depicts the meaning of a soccer championship to down and out working class people in England during the 1970's. A major character who has been long out of work and suffering from depression is having the "best day of his life" by going to see his team play. His fictional characters decades ago in a place an ocean away from Philadelphia are experiencing exactly what those in my city are experiencing today - a chance to be part of something that transcends the everyday.

No matter how hard times get, to have a team to root for brings people together in hopefulness and community, in a spirit of common purpose and resolve. Some might argue sports are just a diversion from people's real lives, but I would argue they are a part of our culture and consciousness that enriches life just as poetry does.

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