Born On Third Base

"Take me out to the ball game"
that anthem of great fame,
one lyric is clearly off track-
"I don't care if I ever get back".

It's the only game after all,
where the defense controls the ball.
It's so unique, so revealing,
that's what makes it so appealing.

Who could abandon a game they love,
without permission from up above?
It would take a lot to walk away,
from a game millions love to play.

True, we all want to get to home,
on the way often stranded alone.
To really score, it's what you've earned.
That's what life teaches, what we've learned.

In our culture, there's a special place
for people who are born on third base.
Fortunate ones, who thought they'd hit a triple
whose actual efforts never made a ripple.

Got in the right schools, joined the best clubs,
Mommy and Daddy cushioned all their flubs.
In their lives there was little pain,
on their parade, it never does rain.

So unaware of their illusion,
they miss the obvious conclusion.
This is how truth goes off its rails,
creates some of our societal ailes.

Here everyone should be safe, nobody out:
that's one thing America's all about.
Your team success is never under debate,
if no one gets to cross home plate.

So as we set these words to rhyme,
always respecting our nation's past time
that spawns character in those who play:
we need leaders who think this way.

The final score is always just the same,
not win or lose but how you play the game.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Caliri Avatar
June 27, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Wonderful job, Greg, placing 9th out of 25 entries! A very original take on the game and how it relates to privilege in society. I didn't see that coming! But love the take.
Alex Avatar
August 15, 2021 at 2:05 AM
Why to negative people mind clings
Gaul Avatar
August 15, 2021 at 8:44 AM
Appreciate your comment and the wisdom in it. Your visits are wonderful.
Kauffman Avatar
March 21, 2020 at 11:36 PM
There is truth in the game of life like truth woven into your baseball metaphor. Congratulations! Baseball is one of my sports passions!
Gaul Avatar
March 22, 2020 at 4:33 PM
Congrats too for your placement. Your insights and tolerance inform your poetry, your kind comments to my work are most appreciated. Baseball is interesting place for poets to connect. So it goes.
Man Avatar
June 25, 2018 at 7:41 AM
Greg.. I loved reading your poem over a cup of hot coffee this morning. Your write is interesting and it was a joy to read!
Gaul Avatar
June 25, 2018 at 1:02 PM
Blushing as I read your comments. Blushing with appreciation. Any poet going by the "handle" Lyric Man, automatically has my admiration. Your kind comments are most appreciated. Thank you muchly.
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