Message Boards

I wrote this poem about Buehrle's perfect game after reading Lee Jenkins article Saturday...it's getting lots of views at the MLB message board.

A Perfect Game

times had lost their luster
disappointment thinned the stands
no one went to day games
scandal rocked the fans
warm-ups sure looked awkward
brand new backstop on the team
but magic filled the stadium
as the people took their seats

when a tough man from the country
who lived for farm and field
took the mound that summer's day
the rest became surreal...
with every toss and follow through
three up, three down, they played
strikes and fundamentals
mowed batters down like hay

two dozen straight, after eight
when a long drive took to flight
a young Turk put his head down
and ran with graceful might
sprawling legs and stretching arm
collided with the wall
his glove went up, he knew it hit
but couldn???t feel the ball

down and down and down, he fell
the grail was knocked away
time stood still and no one breathed
as it floated through the haze
snag! he pulled it from its perch
bare handing hide and fate
the crowd cut loose like thunder
with wringing hands, they prayed...

fastballs growing faster
were granted from baseball Zion
where Mantle, Mays, and Johnny Bench
souls sang the praise of Ryan
as a groundout framed the triumph,
we felt childhood dreams of fame
with caps tipped toward our fathers
for the love of a perfect game

Jerry Browning ?? 2009


http://emotionography.net/book3/a_perfect_game.htm