Ninety Minutes of Peace

Ninety minutes of peace.
Let the quiet stay with me.

A radio against the checkpoint wall,
We turn it up to hear the call.
He wears the colors I don't wear;
For once, that's all that matters there.
He offers half his bread to me,
We argue who should take the free kick.
I ask his name. He asks me mine.
The kettle boils by the painted line.

I know a game can't mend this place.
I know we're more than what we hate.

Ninety minutes of peace,
Just a ball and a patch of green.
When the final whistle sings,
Let the quiet stay with me.

He shows a picture of his son,
Front tooth missing, school shirt on.
I show my girl with muddy knees;
He laughs, "She runs the same as me."
The match winds down. Neither one
Reaches first to turn it off.
Beyond the little radio,
There's still a road we both don't know.

I know a game can't mend this place.
I know we're more than what we hate.

Ninety minutes of peace,
Just a ball and a patch of green.
When the final whistle sings,
Let the quiet stay with me.

The final score. The old fear waits.
He folds the picture. I touch the gate.
I don't know what we'll choose to do.
I ask, "Another cup for you?"

Ninety minutes of peace,
Just a ball and a patch of green.
When the final whistle sings,
Will you share the quiet with me?

He sets his cup beside my cup.
We leave the radio on.