Best Bases Poems
As I walked into the banquet hall of the
Goodman’s Inn, the first thing that stood
out to me were the eyes of the people. I
felt as though I could actually see hope. Eyes
seemed to sparkle and everyone in the hall
sat talking to the others sitting around them
as they waited for the main course of the evening.
To understand this report we need to go back just
over a year ago when Lindsey Long won the 50
million dollar lottery. Apparently the multimillionaire
booked the Goodman’s Inn for December 24th through
to January 2nd of this year solely to house the homeless
over the Christmas holidays. Miss Long walked through
the streets herself over the last week inviting the
unfortunate homeless to come to the motel for these
festivities. Lindsey Long has not only provided the rooms
for this week, she also has clothed them with new
wardrobes and warm winter clothing and accessories.
Now as the people sat around the table they were
told Miss Long had an announcement. We all waited
to hear what this amazing lady had to say
and excitement filled the room. When this
beautiful young woman began to talk there
wasn’t one dry eye in the building. She told them
how she was not going to just send them back
on the street next week but how she had
built a new centre that would have sleeping
facilities and showers to accommodate all
of them. This new facility will be serving
three meals a day which will be prepared solely
from themselves on a voluntary bases.
The feeling in the Inn that night was pure joy
and as the people realized the impact of this
wonderful news, they all broke out singing
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. This is
Rhonda Reeds reporting for
The Good Newspaper.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Written by Brenda Meier-Hans
11.12.2014
Sponsor Mystic Rose
The Good Newspaper
1st
I used to dream of marrying one day
a princely man! My soul mate he would be.
I dreamed of visiting lands far away.
That dream I lived! It’s now a memory!
I used to like to kick a ball and run
the bases, ride my purple Sting Ray bike,
skip rope, play tag and other games so fun
which have become the things I USED to like!
I watch my grandson get excited by
a visit to the park, a simple toy. . .
He’s unaware how fast that time can fly
and how - one day - he’ll miss his childhood joy!
And what he’s dreaming, I can too recall. . .
as bliss I found in things when I was small!
Aug. 21, 2015 for the Childhood Dreams Poetry Contest of Silent One
Everyone seems to lie today,
their empty words are made of clay.
They mold their oily words to please,
to make us kneel and feel at ease.
We sometimes lie because of fear,
we know the lies but we adhere,
and wear our lies like masks all day;
and smile to keep ourselves at bay.
Lies have many, many faces,
but they cover all their bases.
We're rabbits hiding in a hole,
forgetting that we have a soul.
Who can separate truth from lies?
and why do we all compromise?
Lies coil around our thoughts today,
like serpents keeping truth at bay.
Written for contest, "LIES"
If only I had been a teen in the Fifties
I'm sure I would have had "Happy Days",
Like Fonzie I would have donned a leather jacket
And young babes would have lavished me with praise
Like James Dean I would have that swagger
There'd be a cigarette hanging from my lips
I'd have the right moves on the dance floor
They would say "Check out those Elvis Hips!"
You would see me riding down main street
On my Harley with a babe on the back
Making our way to A&W
The best burger before a Mac attack
Once done eating we'd go to the Drive in
If dad would lend me his new Chevrolet
The back seat would be way more comfortable
Then a roll in the barn in the hay!
With fogged windows we wouldn't see the Movie
We'd still hear Humphry Bogart and Becall
Passionately rounding all love's bases
Not concearned about the movie at all!
So now I am living in my fifties
I'm Fifty three years old to be exact
The back seats have gotten much smaller
And I am way to uncool to attract!
For Kelly Deschler's Decade Contest.
Fourth of July, Independence Day for the United States, and
On the news political speeches praising the nations heritage, then
Reading of the declaration in deep proud voices and joyful singing.
The country will celebrate with parades and fireworks and ceremonies,
Hanging the flag outside their homes and having picnics with streamers.
On army bases there will be a salute of one gun shot for each state, and
From radios and TV the most popular song will be The Star Spangled Banner.
Jumping children with balloons red, white, blue floating, and
Under tents the barbecues will be cooking those big ball park dogs.
Love of the nation will be on every lip and in every single heart, then
Years of patriotic events will be re-enacted outside in a show of national pride.
___________________________________
June 29, 2015
Acrostic
For the contest, Celebrate Independence, sponsor, Kim Merryman
Third Place
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.
Winds constant through the trees, grounding
Designer's chemtrail plans, if just for today.
Fresh air reminds me of forgotten hope, when
Dreams ran on laughter's wings, and everyone
Was free.
No speeches rang from State Fair soapboxes,
Imploring masses to wake from their slumber.
The daily grind was once more fresh-brewed,
Without even a hint of deep-underground
Military-bases.
Generations secure, water and air protected
By honest politicians, reflecting our vote.
There were no clandestine schools for crisis
Actors, false-flag disasters weren't needed
To dis-arm the people.
Tho stock markets were crashing with a familiar
Clang, trust was unwavering, faith in our captain.
If only today, life lived in a dream, I'll savor this
Moment, to pause for peace.
08/23/15
I reached in to pull out my all playing ball …
without alcohol
Head up, I breathed brave and stepped up to the plate …
felt like dodge ball bait
Sunshiny bases enticed my run-gained mount …
on feared three-two count
Bat smacked contact so I ran like a wildcat …
clawed first base splayed flat
I reached in to pull out my all playing ball …
fun enriched windfall -
worth future recall
Can you see
through to his invisibility
Don’t grasp onto
who you need him to be.
Sure, he’s a bit complicated
Let him be fancy free and overstated
If you try to hard you’ll never be sated
Change this
change that
He’ll never be that cat
Meow mix baby
listen to him scat
His ideas are deliciously fat
Lay out all the bases
It’s his turn at bat!
If you let him
he’ll move to you
If not you’ll be through
There will be nothing
you can say or do
Unless you be you
and let him be him
your chances are slim
Cause he’s cool hand Luke
disguised as Jim
hat slanted with smirk
eyes hidden below the brim
He can’t see
through your invisibility
You are now the ghost
he needs you to be
No need for explanations
to describe your decisions
You couldn’t fix him
to meet your expectations.
You made the wrong calculations!
Piercing screams slice the air
Creating a sense of joy with laughter
Coloring the moments in exhilaration
Left behind from some child’s imagination
Echoes of small feet darting and sprinting
Leaving stirrings of complete abandonment
The knowing that comes from sharing hours
Spent in breathless bliss, creating wonders
That last through the day and well into night
Stabbing at the hot sun and startling the stardust
Twinkles of a night breaking into angelic song
One little girl holds the jump rope’s end
As another child skips to the beat of its spin
Leaving another girl waiting by the oaks
Hoping to take a turn when the time is right
A small boy holds a ball and seems intent
On tossing it across the grassy field
Where so many others have played this game
Before, moving to the bases and shouting
With enthusiasm… children filled with elation
Dancing in waves of lavender and rose, azure tones
Caress the buttery sun with sincerity that comes
From knowing this is a day about to be spent swirling
Twisting and turning, spiraling out of control, thriving
In the kind, but fleeting hours that awaken gladness
And soothe the soul in seas of compassion and creativity
Discovered on the wings of fairies and friends who grow up
Together, on the playground that holds such charming memoirs
On this playing field, this playground, every soul is essential
A thought expressed by the one who knows that this world
Dances to life when their feet hasten across fresh grass
Leaving only the dreams to last beneath the melodies of dew
And sun, rain and moon, starry nights when every thought knows
The playground is where a yearning goes to find love alive inside
It is captured in the reflection of laughing eyes on every smile
From child to child – playing out the song inside their hearts!
On the playground… there is butterfly dreams and kisses
From a breeze that whispers of serenity which brings
Faithful friends together on wonderous wings of innocence
On the playground… there is pure love
Playground Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Shreya LN
June 13, 2021
We played sports
on asphalt fields
drains and sewer lids
for bases
Billy’s house the right field line
Tommy’s porch
a short left field.
We diagramed
football plays
bottle caps, fractured marbles,
Mikey’s favorite button.
The ball was scuffed
bladder worn
sticking out where it was torn.
The jump rope slapped
sidewalk cracks
sneakers tapped the beat
“Double Dutch” amazingly
twin passing ropes
a double feat.
Baseball cards trilled old bike spokes
roller skates click-clacking by
racing as street lights curfew
silenced the hum of play
returned the quiet of the night
to those who’d worked all day.
John G. Lawless
©2/10/2019
Lines, Launch Angles and Curve Balls
The boys of summer
Set up for a season of lines, launch angles and curve balls
With straight chalky lines leading to a field of dreams
Where line-ups keep the line moving
On frozen ropes to climb the ladder into the catbird seat
Above the Mendoza line when outlines of a waving pennant envision
Crooked numbers and dusty home plates where grand salamis
Foil curves balls in flying angle launch lines – not lined out,
Not out of line
To make power lines for a hitter’s line of sight
And for bases lines, nicknamed the 45’ line,
That call for calls of fair ball down the line
Or foul across the foul line
To guide the line – fair or foul -
And lines of music for the seventh inning stretch, or the chin,
Sung in lusty lines of fans in seat lines
Or in line for nachos, popcorn, brats and beer –
To cheer the back door slider, can of corn or Uncle Charlie –
A Bronx cheer or line of boos –
A summer lineup card of seeing-eye doubles down the line,
Balls climbing up the ladder lines
Nestled in a flat curve
For lines creating perfect diamond angles
Ringing with famous lines
“Batter up!”
For “There’s no crying in baseball.” –
A nervous breakdown in nine innings” -
Because “It’s outta here!”
“Adios Pelota!” “Good bye Mr. Spaulding!”
“Holy Cow!” “Long gone!”
“Put it on the board” “Hey! Hey!”
“Oh Doctor!” “Bye, bye baby!”
And “It ain’t over till it’s over!”
Because “It’s getting late early.”
And “The impossible just happened.” “Forget it!”
“Hello again everybody! It’s a bee-yoo-tiful day for baseball.”
“How about that?”
“If it wasn’t for baseball I’d be in either the penitentiary or cemetery.”
“Remember these two things – play hard and have fun.”
With lines, launch angles and curve balls.
Opening Day April 1, 2021
A Chicago Cubs-Fan Prayer!
In nomine patri et fili spiritu of Ron Santo
Let us all give thanks for Ernie Banks
Let us play!
Our Father, who art in Wrigley Field
Hallowed be thy ivy covered Brick-house walls
Thy new stadium will come, the owners will be done
On the mound, sit ‘in with the bleacher-bums or your rich roof-top owner friends
Give us this day our daily dread but remove those lights that so offend
Forgive us our trespasses and cubs left on bases
As we forgive those teams who trespass those places
And Caray us on and win the pennant races
All’s we’re ask ‘in for Lord, is a couple a runs
Then deliver us a world series, before God loses HIS patience
Amen!
That feeling when you step to plate,
Knowing it's some type of fate.
Looking at an open grass,
With three bases you need to pass.
Grasping life by the hand,
Time to take this with a grand slam!
Stepping to home,
A swing with a small groan.
I watch as the ball got plastered,
As I ran faster and faster.
Slide to second!
Drop the ball!
Steal the third!
Good call.
It's when I stare at home,
My mind fixates to a drone.
There went the "CLING",
As my legs began to sing.
Home I go,
It's the more I know.
The cheers abrupt,
But die when we know it's not enough.
No need to brag
Jeter #2 was born to play and win; now that’s swag
For twenty years he has been the face of the MLB
Games played in 2123
Scored runs 1569
He won his 5th and final championship in 2009
One of the greatest shortstops that would ever be
He was 1 of 37 players with 1000 RBI
Jeter had five Silver Slugger Awards, two Hank Aaron Awards, a Roberto Clemente Award, and had 118 runs
On his face for 20 seasons is a permanent grin that shows he’s having fun
Jeter had 248 more hits than any other player
He may have been known as a singles hitter
A playoff game (158) over the course of his career and owns a .308 BA with 20 HR and 61 RBI, scoring 111 runs and racking up 200 hits
No steroids just natural God given athletics that’s legit
The winner of five Gold Gloves and 358 career stolen bases
So many opponents and haters he leaves them with tear filled eyes and permanent grinned faces
The idea in baseball is to score more runs than the other guy, which is how Jeter earned his living
Respect is definitely earned not given
“Derek has been the benchmark for character and class in a baseball uniform. He has inspired a generation to play baseball the way it was meant to be played. It has been an honor to play against him. On a lighter note this means two things: no more clutch hits against the Rays AND, another pooling of funds to buy a Yankee a farewell gift! Cheers to him”
— Rays third baseman Evan Longoria