Mighty Casey

Parody of "Casey At The Bat" with apologies to Ernest Lawrence Thayer

The outlook was quite brilliant for the high school stud that year—
the senior prom was coming up, and Casey had no fear.
The babe he hoped to take he knew would happily comply,
for Casey was quite popular, the envy of each guy.

And she, of course, was stunning, in a Barbie sort of way,
and any fellow would be proud to date her any day!
There was ease in Casey's manner, a real confidence infusion—
that she would smile and tell him 'yes' was a foregone conclusion.

For Casey was the captain of his high school football team
and she was head cheerleader, with a face that made boys dream.
Deciding he would ask her to the prom with a sweet note,
composed in a romantic style, which late one night he wrote.

Next day at lunch, the courtyard packed with hustling and bustle,
wearing the shirt that he picked out that best showed off his muscle—
approaching boldly, Casey handed her his heart-shaped note.
His dream girl read it, then looked up and softly cleared her throat.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The high school pep band plays somewhere, and high school hearts are light;
And somewhere boys are laughing, and somewhere schoolgirls shout,
But there's no joy in his world—mighty Casey has struck out.


Written 25 Dec 2020
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Proxenos Avatar
January 24, 2021 at 9:54 AM
Like this couplet story and your ending and punchline is great fun. Congratulations on your win my good friend. Hope your New Year is going well. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Watt Avatar
January 24, 2021 at 7:15 PM
Coming from a wonderful storyteller, this comment makes me smile. Thank you very much, my friend. Blessings and hugs ~ John
Faulkner Avatar
January 10, 2021 at 6:45 PM
I'm not really family with 'Casey at the Bat' (I"ve heard of it but haven't read it all the way through) but I love how you turned the last line into something we can all relate to -whether we play sports or not, most of us have taken a swing at the 'sport of love' as it were - happy to see this on the winner's list!
Watt Avatar
January 10, 2021 at 10:41 PM
Thanks Michelle. Thayer's is a fun poem, and one that got me turned on to poetry back in Jr. High. In fact, I did an English paper on 'Sports Poetry'. I'm pleased that you liked the ending; a lot of American lexicon comes from baseball terminology, like striking out with a girl. Wow, that really came out of left field! I'll take a rain check on doing any more...
Rodrigues Avatar
January 10, 2021 at 3:41 PM
Congratulations!
Watt Avatar
January 10, 2021 at 10:33 PM
Thank you, dear friend!
Radhakrishna Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 10:43 AM
This is a superb parody and you have made it flow so well! I can picture the whole scene!! Well done John! Congrats on your top win!
Watt Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:56 PM
Thank you Krish. Having struck out a few times myself I know the feeling! Thanks for stopping by my friend ~ John
Blodgett Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:20 AM
I love this John!! It’s hilarious and so much fun to read. Happy New Year Lonna
Watt Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:56 PM
And a belated happy new year to you as well, dear Lonna. I am grateful for your kind words and poetry friendship ~ John
Goldsmith Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 7:29 AM
Congratulation on your win. Oh No, Casey struck out. What a story/write. Enjoy your win and weekend with blessings..............
Watt Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:55 PM
Thanks for the read and sweet words, Paula. Enjoy your weekend ~ John
Hankins Avatar
January 8, 2021 at 8:37 PM
John, the entries were unbelievably fine. I kept trying to narrow it down, but it was difficult to pick and choose. The winning two poems came in early and were never anywhere but #1 and #2. This parody is exceptionally worthy...good work. Thanks for entering my contest!
Watt Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:54 PM
Milton, I'm very grateful for your high esteem and for hosting this great idea for a contest. The winning poems were really wonderful, I'm sure your task was a difficult one. Thank you for the kind review ~ John
Canerdy Avatar
January 8, 2021 at 6:55 PM
A big CONGRATS on your well-deserved win, John. This is great! Janice
Watt Avatar
January 9, 2021 at 9:53 PM
Thank you, Janice. I'm so proud of you for your first place win, it was so well-deserved! Congratulations to you for your amazing Frost parody ~ John
Wolf Avatar
December 28, 2020 at 10:52 PM
Absolutely the most adorable parody ever, slugger! A FAVE all the way around the bases and then some. Thanks, Gershon
Watt Avatar
December 30, 2020 at 12:05 AM
Grateful for your Fave and kind words, Gershon! I'm glad this wasn't a swing and a miss for you ~ Bob Uecker
Dietrich Avatar
December 26, 2020 at 6:40 PM
oh wow, you picked the PERFECT poem to parody. I am still struggling just to know which famous poem to do mine on!! This is awesome. I sure remember that poem and you made it so cute being about striking out with a girl!!
Watt Avatar
December 30, 2020 at 12:03 AM
Thank you, my dear friend. I was not sure how famous it was, so I'm glad it's somewhat known. It may have been the first poetry to get my attention in grade school because it was about my favorite sport!
Bauer Avatar
December 26, 2020 at 12:27 PM
wonderfully done, john! best of luck in the contest...
Watt Avatar
December 30, 2020 at 12:01 AM
thank you, my new york friend. enjoy the falling of the ball on new year's eve ~ john
Rodrigues Avatar
December 26, 2020 at 4:22 AM
Nicely done! I hope you are having a merry holiday!
Watt Avatar
December 30, 2020 at 12:01 AM
Thanks Kim, you too!
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