The Band

She steps up to the plate –smiling The smile that fills you with hatred and embarrassment When so often it is present. This is no laughing matter. The unliked by the team, But still the needed captain. The field is watching, waiting. Bat up, she stances. Eyes narrow. The players tense –mechanically. The pitch from empty space, Creation of the batter’s mind, Carefully crafted to tie the game. The crowd groans. She swings. And off goes the game. She motions to first. The ball whizzes through the air- First the infielders –chasing –running –pacing Staccato across the red. But they are no match –the ball continues. She accelerates to second. The inner-outfielders, the bridge, take over, As if squeaks and honks can stop it. They chase, to fill the empty space, but relent. She crescendos to third. The far-outfielders, at last, The most important players of all. Long, deep strides cover much ground, But they cannot compare. The ball is gone. She made it home. There is silence in the field. And the crowd goes wild. (In 8th grade, I really didn’t care for my band teacher, but loved band.)