Dad
took me to baseball games
slapped my knee
when something good happened
played
catch with me after
sometimes
at night
under the moon
On those rare occasions
when he was not
working
he talked to me
about baseball players
some
he really admired
Had all sorts
of very
corny sayings
like “Take a big cut when it’s your turn!”
and
“Always believe you can hit it out!”
That’s the one he said the most
On occasion we talked
at the ball game
about mom
my sister
Uncle
Grandma Grandpa
the President
life
He always told me
“Wear your mitt!”
and
lo and behold
of course
I caught a ball
hit into the stands
caught it
got one
I caught it!
I got one!
I got one!
Everyone
wanted to see it
what it looks like
as if
it was some
precious diamond
from some faraway land
The ball is enshrined
with the
date
game
place
he made sure of it
Hey Dad
I never thanked you
about baseball
but I meant to
I wanted to
Really enjoyed it
then and
still do
Take my son now
and
on occasion
we talk about you
Sure hope you can hear
what we say
You made me tear up !