Rowntree Park Premiere Contest Winner

ROWNTREE PARK

I have found green here
bordered by white lines
that meet then veer off
into infinity, perfect symmetry,
peppered by flashing yellow dandelions.
These, and more, colours
I have found here.
I have found dreams here
in the bats that sing for singles
and scream for homers,
in the cleats that pound
a rhythm as they slap the ground
with mercurial delight.
Oh, the sights and sounds
that I have found here.
I have found the cycles of life here
in the grass below and the sky above,
in the safe and the out,
I have found peace.
I have found youth here,
 for here I am not an old man
barely able to walk,
I am forever ten
as I round the bases and slide
headfirst into home,
the feel of dirt in my face
and the smell of death in the tag.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 3/4/2017 7:32:00 PM
Thanks Phil for the taste of baseball and that thirst of a 'never dying game' that's really so much more than a game. Even though my plays on the field may well be a time of bygone days, for me and my precious memories,it is a 'past time' that never really passes. Thanks again, my friend.
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/5/2017 9:11:00 AM
My playing days are gone too but memories holdfast. Thanks for throwing a pitch my way.
Date: 3/2/2017 5:18:00 PM
Phil! What a fantastic write! Presenting vivid memories seasoned with allegory! I love it. Congratulations! Big Hugggs deb.
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/5/2017 9:09:00 AM
Thanks Deb, I'm glad you caught the allegory.
Date: 3/2/2017 10:54:00 AM
A HOME RUN PHIL, Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/2/2017 4:54:00 AM
You are finding a lot here and showing it in your poem. Congratulations on your win, Kai
Login to Reply
Date: 3/1/2017 8:37:00 PM
MAGNIFICENT....Phil....you have captured the heart of the "love of the game" in this wonderfully visual picture.
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/5/2017 9:08:00 AM
Thanks John for your kind remarks.
Date: 3/1/2017 3:47:00 PM
I laugh for the pleasure of reading such a good poem, Phil. : )
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 4:22:00 PM
Glad you enjoyed it Doug.
Date: 3/1/2017 3:06:00 PM
Coming back to you with congratulations!
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 4:21:00 PM
Thanks DW
Date: 3/1/2017 11:12:00 AM
You took me out to the ballgame Phil, congratulations on your win...
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 4:20:00 PM
Glad you liked it Charlie.
Date: 3/1/2017 9:14:00 AM
Great write Phil, congrats on number 1, well deserved!
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 4:19:00 PM
Thanks John my fondest memories are from that park.
Date: 3/1/2017 7:49:00 AM
Perhaps, in more ways than one we are all headed for home...Congrats on a great win
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 4:18:00 PM
There is a symmetry between life and baseball, no doubt. Thanks Joseph.
Date: 3/1/2017 6:39:00 AM
Congrats, Phil, on your youthful memory!
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 4:19:00 PM
Thanks Kim. :)
Date: 3/1/2017 5:25:00 AM
Your poem is indescribably beautiful and perfectly captures the essence of what baseball means to so many. Congratulations on the win. Thank you for entering
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 3/1/2017 5:32:00 AM
Thanks Phillip, baseball literally saved my life numerous times; when life got rough, baseball, the love for the game, the joy found in watching or playing kept me going. It certainly is my family tradition. Peace and love out.
Date: 12/6/2016 7:47:00 AM
This is a masterful write, truly a home run!
Login to Reply
Date: 11/30/2016 2:49:00 PM
charmed by this amazing piece, phil.. stay forever young.. huggs
Login to Reply
Date: 11/30/2016 11:56:00 AM
Phil, I liked your poem, even though I am absolutely not interested in baseball. You evoke the feeling of a youthful memory, nicely done. Agnes
Login to Reply
Date: 11/29/2016 8:38:00 AM
Oh! this is so wonderful! I make it a fave and would give you a 10 if I could!
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 11/29/2016 11:52:00 AM
thanks Darren you're too kind.
Date: 11/28/2016 6:57:00 PM
This is absolutely stunning, Phil! Congrats on the placement.
Login to Reply
Date: 11/28/2016 9:19:00 AM
Congratulations Phil on the placement of the contest.
Login to Reply
Date: 11/25/2016 4:36:00 PM
Very, very good poem, Phil. The nostalgia is so close like the sweat from running the bases. Great memories you gave w/this poem. Lovely poem, my friend. Love and joy to you.
Login to Reply
Date: 11/23/2016 9:55:00 AM
Wonderful poem!, I recommend you start a wordpress blog to host your poetry, I believe your poems will be very popular.
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 11/23/2016 10:52:00 AM
Thanks for your encouragement Brian, I have considered it. Much love.
Date: 11/23/2016 8:13:00 AM
Love the way you can feel your writings...well done!
Login to Reply
Date: 11/22/2016 8:00:00 AM
Any sport we play as children is accompanying to the rest of our life! Your poem has achieved to paint so vividly the imageries of these experiences dear, Phil! A seven!
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 11/22/2016 9:51:00 AM
You are too kind.
Date: 11/19/2016 7:28:00 AM
Reminiscent theme carried throughout, reminded me of Dreaming Tree by Dave Matthews when I first started reading, a home run!
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 11/19/2016 7:42:00 AM
Now I'm blushing. Thanks :)
Date: 11/18/2016 4:37:00 PM
Such memories this brings back. Baseball was the port I loved when I was young. We had self-deigned diamonds on most every open lot in the neighborhood. Baseball was it. Your poem is very cool, thank you for sharing and allowing me to relive a little of my youth through your words.
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 11/19/2016 7:42:00 AM
Me too. Thanks for your interest.
Date: 11/18/2016 1:10:00 PM
I have found a wonderful poem here, Phil. Brings back so many memories for me. I really love thislittle gem about baseball keeping one young at heart>)
Login to Reply
Capitano Avatar
Phil Capitano
Date: 11/19/2016 7:41:00 AM
Thanks. :)
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter