for Mike “King” Kelly
But the sun still rose the next day
And the people still came to shout and scream
Yesterday’s result would never sway
Them to turn their backs on their team
When the pennant race catches fire
And every win brings them closer to the flag
There’s no need to throw promises on the pyre
Or let fists rattle or fingers wag
No one likes to lose by a swift strike three
Or see their heroes falter in the clutch
But the slate’s clean and there’s a new decree
To throttle the opponent with a score they can’t touch
Mudville supporters pushed through the turnstile bars
And swarmed toward the first base clearing
They heard the barker announce the lineup stars
And even gave the famed slugger throaty cheering
After the first three visitors went down in order
Flynn whipped a single and Blake scorched the chalk
Casey took two pitches creeping on the border
And the fans began to grumble and squawk
Here was an early chance for redemption
With a runner each on second and third
But Casey again rose his hand to quiet the conniption
And no one dared say another word
You could hear the next pitch whistle
And you could hear Casey laugh
He quickly caught the fiery missile
And his home run broke his bat in half
***
Christopher Stolle has been published by Indiana University Press, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Coaches Choice, “Tipton Poetry Journal,” “Flying Island,” “Last Stanza Poetry Journal,” “The Alembic,” “Sheepshead Review,” and “Plath Poetry Project,” among others. He lives in Richmond, Indiana.
