10/25/2024
‘Twas the night before Gridiron, when all through the range,
Not a shooter was stirring, their gear they’d arrange.
The targets were hung by the markers with care,
In hopes that the next day’s top shots would be fair.
The rifles were nestled, cleaned up with great pride,
With sights finely tuned, no error to hide.
And I in my camo, my gloves snug and tight,
Had just settled down for a restful good night.
When out in the field there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my tent to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Checked all my optics and made a quick dash.
The moon on the barrels and steel gleaming bright,
Gave a luster like day to the cool desert night.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a line of competitors, their smiles full of cheer.
With a seasoned old leader, so rugged and keen,
I knew in a moment it must be the team.
More rapid than bullets their orders they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now Sights! Now Trigger! Now, Stance and Grip right!
On Focus! On Steady! Keep Targets in sight!
To the end of the range, to the last shot you make,
Now shoot away, shoot away, no room for mistake!”
As brass from the chambers so swiftly did fly,
And the crack of each round echoed clear through the sky,
So straight to the targets the bullets did glide,
With precision and grace, they had nothing to hide.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the course
The steps of competitors, no signs of remorse.
As I drew in my breath and was turning around,
The shooters lined up with no fear to be found.
Their eyes, how they focused! Their hands, steady true!
Their rifles gleamed bright, freshly sighted anew!
Their mouths were set firm in determined embrace,
With grit in their hearts, they readied the race.
The competition was fierce, not a moment to waste,
But each hit a mark with incredible grace.
Though the night before Gridiron was filled with suspense,
Tomorrow would show who had nerves most intense.
And as the stars twinkled high in the black of the night,
I settled back in, knowing all would be right.
For with skill and resolve, and no need for much luck,
We’d soon see the champions emerge from the muck.
So I whispered in calm as the range grew still:
“Happy Gridiron to all, may you shoot with great skill!”
