Baseball Stories (2)

. . . “it all begins and ends right here,” he thought as he steps upon the field for the first day of spring training. Most of the players around him are barely aware of his presence as he greets the old and new alike while taking his familiar place on the field. Ever hopefuls see only the coach. Last year’s wonders see only themselves. Some veterans see only their pain from unconscious years of chasing a dream. Still Others have arrived to simply enjoy the grace of the game.

All is ready. The scorekeeper takes out a brand new pad. The first ball is thrown. Nothing is ever the same again . . .

Love's Farewell

To find me
imagine
fields of plenty
where a soft breeze whispers of what can be
there I have grown
through years of changes
to stand on my own
now tall and free

Come rest yourself
when endless travel
brings you down a road my way
there I will give you shade and comfort
I will share a place to pray

Know me then with the sights you’ve traveled
carry my love when you must go
I will keep this place in ready
I have dreamed
and made it so

To Love and Learn

That’s sort of the test of it
really . . .
I mean
finding a love which defies all convention
all fears of the unknown
any thoughts of sacrifice are at once of no consequence
reason becomes simplistic and life a child’s joy
this fascination
this unexpected love
it’s simply my love
a whole unto myself

And what of the great tomorrow
can anyone put this in that perspective
mine has always been a search for continuum
a place in the order of things
but all is not in order
and I am not in the mood to continue the search

I want it
and fear it’s fragility
I hope
I nurture
I caress that which I find so dear

I fight it
and place insurmountable obstacles in its way
to test
to crush
to drive this inconsistency from my existence

I am often embarrassed by it
my place
this love
they are not one in the same, but are opposite ends of the spectrum
yet
there are moments when they seem so natural together
like opposite poles of a magnate
they come together and are as one
a continuum
in order
as things should ultimately be

What is real and what is not
who am I and where are we going
questions in search of answers that I am compelled to discover their meaning
except . . .
an exception is when she speaks
in whisper quiet confidence
displaying a true self
so honest
thoughtful
in full command
I pause to enjoy her pure perfection
there is no Other like her

In my life
a surprising few
have sent me flying for just having made their acquaintance
Why her
why now
it really doesn’t matter
I am happy just to have known her


End.