Daniel Vettori
The bearded Kiwi philosopher of spin
announces he will no longer walk
with the gods of cricket. I hear Zeus
express his sadness. 18 years, and
how the masses, the legions were moved.
Tight and economical in later years,
his spin not as prominent, he endured
taking over 700 international wickets.
His aura like a halo, Dan the Man, could
do anything, even be Prime Minister.
Batting became another forte as he propped
up many a New Zealand middle order.
Ever since his debut as a teenager,
his glasses and feats enthralled.
To walk with the cricket gods, and to
be welcomed in, is what few have achieved.
Vettori, in the halls of fame, will send down
his arm ball, Zeus waits behind the stumps.
Poem © Mark Pirie 2015