He shrugged his shoulders, scratched his head
And wondered whether they would show up
If he went ahead and built it, put the pieces
Together and made the places what they used to be
When they and we were young. He gazed up
With trepidation and hesitation, but this was
No movie; no reassuring voice emanating from
The cloudy sky would speak to him, so he
Replied himself that they would come, if they loved
Baseball as he did. He perused old Turner Field one
Day and decided he would put together a National
Ballpark Museum in Denver, not far from
Coors Field, dedicated to showcasing 14 original
MLB ballparks, living history of the sport’s youth,
Homes to millions over many decades, including
The last two battlefields still in use, Fenway Park
(Come see a panel from the Green Monster)
And Wrigley Field (sit on a bench from the place).
You can experience the rotunda at Ebbets Field, a
Window from Forbes Field, a turnstile from Shibe
Park. He wished to “preserve American treasures”
And “the uniqueness of classic ballparks.” It’s a
Time machine that transports the eager soul back to
The early years and to the once-inhabited foundation
Of the soul-sport of America. That’s worth the journey.
THE POETRY OF THE GAME