Wild Pitch

Pitching to a chalk-drawn red brick strike zone,

Nodding to the basement window squatting, and

Sending me signals from behind its black face guard

Check the runner leading off from the neighbor's pine

Breath the fresh cut grass, hiding my grip behind my thigh

Squint for the Sun, and whip my curveball, sidearm ~ screaming

Wild.

Off the catcher's mask and hose bib

Bad hop into the damp and darkened cellarway...

Fifth inning. I'm winning. Game over.

~John Patrick Starling