with cameras and chairs in hand

they enter,

the grandparents,
and
before paying
before choosing a seat
before anything
they scan for the child
cheerleader in the stand
drummer at his snare
dancer in the wings
player on the court
goalie in the goal
whether
on bench
or floor
or sidelines
or field
the smile is the same
and
the love that drove them through the rain
the love that paid the ten dollar admission
the love that helped the arthritic knees manage the stairs
that love is
genuine
and
unconditional
and
swells
my
heart

linking with
jen for god-bumps
emily for imperfect prose