by Stephen Jones
I have read: it used to be, in ancient Rome,
That some gladiators sat by the throne
And enjoyed brief immortality;
That, and some gold, also assured longevity.
Nowadays, instead of slashing swords,
Checkbooks and big bats are the words.
But I wonder: maybe it’s not so different.
The blue sky is still the same firmament,
And ballparks are not unlike coliseums—
Where ballplayers still get life-changing encomiums.
Harper, Trout, Machado, and some others,
Have much in common with their Roman brothers.