May we be blessed to acknowledge all the wonders in our life
that have, for us, thus far accrued…
and to begin each day with a word of thanks…
and thoughts of gratitude.
Today I’m thankful for baseball
and the wisdom of Babe Ruth…
(Many old-timers will remember his name)
He said, ‘never let the fear of striking out
keep you from playing the game.’
I dreamt of Babe Ruth
in Howard Johnsons'
lighted pool doing
the backstroke so brilliantly.
No bats lying around
anywhere. warm water
reflected dorsal pecs,
beautiful biceps, round
spiral muscles fanning
along so softly.
Finally finding the nerve
to say: Babe! your a
ballplayer; Sultan of swat.
Smiling at me timidly:
I'm a ballplayer and a
a swimmer. He replied
calmly gliding away.
A swan in the moonlight.
Babe Ruth
To tell the truth
Was as good a hugger
As a slugger
Silence hushed, a crowd in awe,
Only crickets could be heard.
Under the spell of the Babe,
They looked to where he pointed,
Hoping to see a home run.
Perhaps the greatest player
America ever-knew,
Would, once again, please the crowd.
But the pitcher wasn't phased,
And threw a wicket screwball.
Babe watched its winding approach,
Eyed it close, took aim, and swung.
Resounding off of his bat,
Unfailingly, the ball flew.
Then, as the home crowd cheered on,
Headed straight for its target.
(Acrostic)
5/19/2015
12/21/2022
Poetry In Motion Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Matt Caliri
I want to go to Wrigley Field
Stand behind home plate
And point my finger at the left field wall
I do it to remember baseball
What it used to be
Simple
Pure
Dirt
Muscle
And spit
It used to be you could go to climb the fence and get in to Wrigley for free
Simpler times
Now you can't get in for less than a small fortune
Steroids and wall street
Great
I want to stand at home plate
And point my finger for a better world
Babe Ruth was certainly associated with the ruling class
But he played a sport of the people
And he represented a team whose city has some of the ,most ardent socialists in the world
So I know I'm reaching here
But I want to stand at Wrigley field
In the heart of america
And point my finger like babe ruth
Very unwitting representative
Of the nations working class
Pointing my finger to the beyond
In the heart of america
Pointing my finger to the beyond
Toward what's better.
Toward what's more.
Towards what America
Is supposed to be.
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