A VISIT TO THE MOUND

The catcher visits the mound
to calm the rattled pitcher.
Two men on with only one away,
the wise battery mate
visits his friend.
They chat about something else,
something to take his mind off
the game
like what they’ll eat after
or how hot it is.
Then he says
keep it low and inside
you know what
you can do
gives him a pat
and heads back
to the plate.

Oh to have
that same crafty catcher
visit me
when I am rattled.
To say something about
something else
like did you see
the moon last night
or that woman in red.
Snaps me
out of it,
gives me a pat,
and walks back
to the plate
to await my next pitch.