No Extra Innings

No Extra Innings Baseball games are won by keeping score, But hold no interest for me any more. I realized, when it became clear to me, How like relationships the game can be. The pitcher I knew threw devious curves, Many from which I just couldn't swerve. I took his pitches, but I refused the blame For all the errors in our relationship game. Fans in the bleachers, supported both teams. There were lots of jeers, taunts, and screams. A sneer on the pitcher's face said it all... He changed from sliders to throw hardballs. I stepped back, away from the plate. Was that look in his eyes one of hate? This game was no longer played for fun. I heard a gruff voice call out..."Strike one." His fans were shouting out lame excuses For his anger, his cursing, and verbal abuse. But while trying to decide what I should do, I felt a tear fall. The Ump called..."Strike two." I couldn't go on, so I threw down my bat. To the pitcher I bowed and then tipped my hat. The next pitch would've been the death of me. I covered my ears not to hear..."Strike Three." The game ended quickly with no extra innings. Neither side counted it a triumph of winning. The bleachers were empty, and so was my heart. Games can be brutal and tear people apart.