By Mark Blackburn
I am in the bullpen
warming up for
the first game
of a new season.
Is the old arm
still up to it?
I throw a few dactyls,
a few trochees.
The catcher calls for
an iamb.
I oblige.
Shakespeare had
nothing on me.
I see the Commissioner
up in a big oak tree
in left field
with a telescope.
He looks puzzled.
I throw four more iambs
to hit the mitt.
I look over at the bench.
I see Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth,
Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson,
Ted Williams.
Good heavens.
Also Stan Musial,
Hank Aaron, Willie Mays,
and Mickey Mantle.
I take off my hat in respect.
This won’t be easy.
But wait til they see
my slider, my sinker,
my screwball.
Not to mention
my dactyl,
my anapest.
Good luck, fellas!
Footnote on meter
iamb……………….duh-DUH……….as in “describe”
trochee……………DUH-duh………..as in “custom”
spondee…………..duh-duh………….as in “cupcake”
dactyl……………..DUH-duh-duh…as in “horrible”
anapest……………duh-duh-DUH…as in “understand”
iambic pentameter: five iambs…..as in “That time of year thou mayst in me behold.”
Your comments are welcome below.
Sandy: I submit this for possible inclusion in Yale ’59 life stories as we approach the 2021 World Series. I am a Giants fan, which means I am a fan of a team that won’t be in it. I remain a fan of baseball, however, and if that means rooting for the Dodgers, so be it. Best, Mark
Mark . . . By the way, be thankful for what you do have. I’ve been a Lions and Tigers fan for years. Enough said. The Pistons had their glory days some time ago, which was great. Hockey never appealed to me. Sandy
Sandy. . .back to our sports conversation: my friends here in Giants land think I am an apostate to cheer for the Dodgers, but I think in a way, if the Dodgers win the World Series, we can console ourselves with the thought that well, it could have been us if only somebody or other hadn’t been in sick bay. best, m