Rodborough Fields
Mexico v England
The Prince Albert
Estadio Azteca
Hard to imagine these places conjoined
By anything other than a football match,
But the cochineal beetle from Mexico
Provided the dye for Stroud scarlet cloth,
Once stretched out on tenterhooks
In Rodborough Fields,
As in that iconic painting.
We too shall be on tenterhooks, but in the pub.
But if we win, in the gloaming after the match,
I shall stretch out a piece of Stroud scarlet cloth
In Rodborough Fields in quiet celebration.