Gershon Wolf Poet Blank verse

At the Old Ball Yard

He advanced to home plate
hesitant
out of time, out of place, yet
tantalizingly familiar somehow
A spirit, no number on his back...

Pausing, he tipped his cap to the crowd
a period-piece from long, long ago
Who could he be...

He squared himself, bat waving menacingly
and then he swung -- pure poetry
a swing for the ages
the ball arcing higher, higher...

As he rounded first base
into the afternoon shadows
his legs faded away
then the rest of him...

Who's to say we hadn't seen
Babe Ruth that day
Who's to say


              

              Babe Ruth, who played from 1914 - 1935, rewrote
              baseball's record book top to bottom during his
              career.  He still is arguably both the greatest
              player ever to play the game, as well as the sport's
              most enduring legend.

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Caren Krutsinger August 13, 2019 at 11:08 PM Who's to say? Better not be anyone. Ha! Gershon Wolf August 14, 2019 at 12:48 PM Well, I get to say! It's my poem, so I say it may have been Babe Ruth! :) gw

Charles Messina August 13, 2019 at 5:59 AM The Sultan of Swat was undeniably the best...but watch out for the new guy in town...the Mets new rookie Pete Alonzo (lol) Great write Gershon! Charlie Gershon Wolf August 13, 2019 at 10:06 AM I can feel the Babe trembling beneath the ground... How many homers does Alonso have to go to catch the Babe? About 670? … And only 97 wins to match Babe's record as a hurler (prior to his playing outfield!), plus three world series wins for the Boston Red Sox! There will never be another Babe---not even this guy 'Ohtano.' Thanks, Charlie! ~ Gershon

David Mchattie August 13, 2019 at 1:02 AM No doubt about it. The 'Babe' was a character. I would have loved to meet him. Great poem for a summer night. Have a great night my friend. Gershon Wolf August 13, 2019 at 10:03 AM Yes, indeed, the Babe was larger-than-life. Thanks for the encouragement, David! Best wishes, gw

Sandra Adams August 12, 2019 at 9:12 PM i love to watch baseball and your poem makes me want to watch it even more so... nice poem Gershon...how great it would have been to see a legend like babe ruth in our time... hugs :) Gershon Wolf August 12, 2019 at 9:29 PM Can you imagine the Babe emerging from the mists of time, even if only for a few moments? Now that's a wow!... Always nice to hear from another baseball fan. Not too many on the Soup, as I've discovered. Thanks a lot, Sandra! :) gw