IN EARLY

The players casually playing catch
a throw, then a snatch
The batters chattering around the cage
readying to turn the page
The pitcher from last night shagging flies
where last night’s RBI now just dies
The clatter of a BP HR rattling around the stands
silently absent the scrambling hands
The battery for tonight strolling out to right
conspiratorially planning for tonight
The coach, past his playing days, hitting fungoes
still wondering where the time goes
The fans clustering in the outfield seats
praying for one lousy ball while their heart beats
The drama starts soon enough
but this is the stuff
A true fan enjoys before the game
soon to commence on this pastoral patch.