Riverton Rifle

We, the undersigned, put forth his name.

Whereas Reggie Leach was born and played
minor hockey back in our home town.
The Rifle fired his first 500 here,
then slapped his way into the NHL.

We, the undersigned, put forth his name.

Whereas some of us weren't always fair
to the Native kid on borrowed skates.
Chippy Goolies and Ukrainians
in the corners with our elbows up.

We, the undersigned, put forth his name.

Whereas Reggie, on a playoff run,
could make a dad go buy the new TV
put his youngest by the window, place
the split antenna in her tiny hands.

We, the undersigned, put forth his name.

Whereas photos from the old Tribune
of Reggie smiling with the Stanley Cup
curled their corners, dropped off bedroom walls.
Left a square of where they used to be.

We, the undersigned, put forth his name to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
We, the undersigned, put forth his name to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Therefore we, the undersigned, put forth his name to the Hockey Hall of Fame.