A rubber game in a bandbox
with the fireman throwing gopher balls
getting lucky and blowing smoke
a pickle here, a pickle there
and the occasional cleanup hitter
a rhubarb at home plate
angry umpire, angry runner
and then there’s a Texas
leaguer, a guaranteed
home run, hit a Baltimore chop
a good chance at one too
the pitcher does a gun down
a little bit of chin music
then it’s back to fungo
and shagging.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME