Someone said
you know the season is
about to begin
and
there’s a baseball
spirit
who sets
the table
who spruces the whole place up
and puts
the bats there
the balls
the mitts
the uniforms
chalks the lines just right
gets the umps
focused and keen
and
who
opens the gates
and says
“Come on in
one and all
come on
we start today!”
Someone
said
there’s a baseball
spirit
who lifts up
from history
and giggles
who anticipates
the crowd
and the players
and the first pitch
and the next
and the crack of the bat
and the diving
catch
and the disappearing baseball
caught by Jimmy or Cathy
whose eyes are now
open so wide
whose excitement is shimmering
Someone told me
there’s a spirit
who clears
everyone’s throat
(and heart)
when it’s time
to sing
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
and
who knows
there will be tears
in the eyes
and hearts in hand
as the players
return
to the field
Someone told me
the world will sigh
and appreciate
that the table is set
and that someone
will pat someone else
on the
back
Someone
everywhere
will pat someone else
on the back
and whisper
(while shouting to the sky)
“Play ball!”
And for awhile we will sit together
again
as a very
very
large family
many whose names
we do not even know
in that home we call baseball
in that very large living room
we wish
we could stay in
for all the innings
Well
the table is set
look
the first pitch
the first pitch!