Baseball on the Brain

    This is part of the Slice of Life Challenge hosted by the Two Writing Teachers

 

Even though I am a soccer guy, I also have a love affair with baseball.  Spring Training is in full force and I am very optimistic about my team, the Detroit Tigers.  Because of this I have been dusting off some old poetry I have written about baseball.  I played around with the one below earlier tonight.  Still not sure I really like it yet, but it was fun to revisit the trip I took to Fenway Park a few years ago.

Corner of Yawkey and Van Ness

“NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED Twooooo!  GAWT Twooooo!  NEEEEEEEEEED Twooooo!”

Flags snap above the bustling crowd.

Smoke and the smell of cooked onions linger.

Kids punch their gloves and

pop around like water on a hot skillet.

 

“Score Cahd HeeeYAH!  Score Cahd HeeeYAH!

The smell of peanuts floats through the air.

Foam flows down giant cups.

Dads shuffle through the turnstiles and

smile like Cheshire cats.

 

“GETCHA LEMON Ice-a,  GETCHA LEMON Ice-a!”

The perfume of grass hangs.

Sunrays bake the moist infield

We fold ourselves into seats and

periscope our necks like turtles.

 

“Goooood afternoon Red Sox fans.  Today’s starting pitchers are ....”

 

Later,

T

Comments

[Karen Terlecky]

Though I don't share your passion of baseball, I can respect a tradition like seeing a game at Fenway Park. Your poem was great - the images and sounds really brought it all to life!

By the way, my post tomorrow was totally inspired by your "Seriously Not Ready" slice. :) Thanks for writing a mentor text for me.

[Maria Caplin]

I love the Boston Red Sox and I totally share your passion for baseball. I also enjoyed your "Seriously Not Ready" slice and might need to write my second slice in my whole life.

[Linda Baie]

How does Fenway get that reputation. I've been to Boston a few times, with students & to visit friends and my daughter who went to BU, & have been to Fenway once. There is an aura that it has that I instantly recognized in your poem-all that stuff that goes on 'outside' is so exciting, rather like going to the circus. I like all the poem, especially the 'noise' & that final line, "periscope our necks like turtles.' It's true, we do! Thanks!