Concussion Protocols

Concussion protocols, truly, the stakes are high
Punch drunk, the injury that sparks a debate
Undoubtedly every player would want to continue
A grand stage it may be, but impaired judgment is the danger

Stunned, weary and dazed after the clash of heads
A misguided notion, this business of grin and bear it
To stand in judgment, weighing the shelf life of a human being
Out of a sense of obligation, the point is not to indulge machismo

When caution comes up against commerce, there's a world of trouble
Conflicting imperatives at work, the reluctance is understandable
Surely though, it's best to take the decision out of their hands
The mind may will it it wants, but the body is the ultimate arbiter

Concussion Protocol, a playlist

A soundtrack for this note (spotify version)

• Concussion by Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
• Punch Drunk by Sade
• Struck by You by The Bar-Kays
• Warriors don't cry by Beres Hammond
• Sit Down and Hurt Awhile by Denise LaSalle
• Blow to the Head by Abram Wilson
• Hard Knock Life by Jay-Z
• You can't stop the prophet by Jeru the Damaja
• Stop in the name of love by The Supremes
• Carry On by Jean Knight
• Caution by Maxi Priest
• Hard Knocks by Joe Cocker
• We Carry On by Portishead
• Hard Knocks by Elvis Presley

After: Punch-Drunk Slugnuts: Violence and the Vernacular History of Disease by Stephen Casper


File under: health, standards, best practices, concussion, brain, biology, sports, policy, culture, observation, perception, poetry, toli

Writing log: December 18, 2022