DISSECTION

The morning regulars took their regular seats,
as Stella, the waitress, looked over their worn faces,
and said, “The usual, gentlemen?”
They all nodded like baseball bobble-head figures,
and began to dissect last night’s game.
“I would have taken him out after
he walked the first two batters in the 7th.”
“I would have pinch-hit for Tejada,
bring in a stronger batter from the bench.”
“I wouldn’t have used Mejia.
He’s pitched too many innings already.”
They all nodded like baseball bobble-head figures,
as if any argument would have required
too much effort; besides, they were friends, sorta.
Stella brought the oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and pancakes,
placing the separate dishes before each man,
as she had done countless times before.
“Coffee, later?” she asked, knowing but being polite.
“Next year will be better,” one man said, “you’ll see.”
They all nodded like baseball bobble-head figures.