Play Ball or not at all !
Some seasonal related content....1st up The All-Star Game from Attitude House, recorded on Matador From Another Planet CD. Live link in the recorded works section...just scroll down to the Matador cover and track listings. Live link is enabled in the title.
All Star Game
(for
T.W.)
Summer’s
clock is all time great passing.
July
sneaky fast
will
not be in the line-up tonight.
The
disabled list
of
the terrible now.
Besides
that view
from
the dugout is fine
and
as close as
you
can get to it from here.
June
is out.
Been
out.
Won’t
be back this season.
August
is on deck.
Looks
hungry.
Rubs
dirt on his hands.
Take
a few practice swings.
They
all dream of October.
But
wonder who will be left
around
to see her.
They
know this game.
Once
your out…
your…
Time
has no extra innings here in the ballpark earth.
The
Umpires name is…
So
there is the sound of the faceless throng
roaring
twilight shrouds of dusk and down the power alleys.
You
make the call on the curves of youth’s shoulders.
All
her tight brown curls laid out infield triangle like.
Do
you remember the summer you polished that diamond?
All-star
game tonight.
Summer’s
clock is all time great passing.
7/01
The Poetry Pitcher
Listen there kid
if you want to get
up here and throw in
this game
there are a few things
you had better know
right off the bat.
Plan on going the distance.
Plan on going 9
Forget all this BS
about pitch counts
quality starts
or just wanting to contribute
and help the ball club.
Useless clichés
About as useful
as BP plywood flat fastballs.
Take my advice
If you are lucky
enough to be given
the ball and stand up on this mound.
Don’t even think about
being done until the job is finished
and it’s been put in the books.
Sure you want to show off your heat
your fast ball
you want to blow them all away.
Firing aspirins
is only cool if somebody has a headache
and chances are you’re the one
that gave it to them.
Sorry kid.
It will bore them
Put them to sleep.
You’ll fail to connect
and be yanked early.
So mix up your pitches
Don’t tip your next delivery
Use the change up
Sharp breaking Sliders are cool.
Good Curve balls are a delight.
Just keep pitching in there.
Move along.
Don’t take forever,
keep the game moving
and if he crowd gets restless
and you think you’re not getting
the right calls on your stuffs location ?
Don’t get pissed
and start throwing chin music
at people’s heads
Dangerous stuff
bean a nut bag like Jimmy Piersall
(and believe me there’s always one out there)
and they will charge the mound
or wait for you after the reading
outside the Café to kick your ass.
Sure you can brush them back
move them off the plate
give them something to think about.
Purpose pitches are useful in that respect.
But have a point out there.
So think carefully about throwing a lot of junk.
Not everybody loves, gets or appreciates
screwballs, spitters or knuckleheads
O sorry I meant knuckle
balls.
You’re going to need those too.
Big iron ones.
Not everybody is going to get your stuff
In fact better get used to the idea of
catcalls, booing and hecklers
but probably the most common reaction
you can expect is indifference,
silence and scouting reports that call you washed
up before you get your shot and your best stuff
is a weak punch and Judy derivate can of corn.
You’ve got to expect this.
Remember you aren’t the whole game up there.
You’re only one player
Sure you’ve been given the ball
The chance to throw for strikes
to be the one in the center of the diamond
For crying out loud do yourself and
all of us a big goddamn favor
Act like you belong to be out there.
Know your location
Watch your pitch count
Have command of your stuff
It’s all anybody can really ask.
From The Terrible Now
6/2008
Happens Every Spring
And he wraps
his fingers
around the pen
holding it in
his hand
like it was his
favorite bat
and takes
a 1-2-3
series of practice
swings
crouching into stance
while setting his
place between the
white caulk lines
of the pages
batters box
looking out a the pitcher
and nods in acknowledgement
with a slow sure steady stare
glaring a certain degree
of due respect
but….
Thinking
Hell yes….
I can hit this guy.
4/2010