Inside Baseball (in the Time of Corona)

By Raphael Badagliacca

The air is clear
The sky is blue
The sun is shining on the field
It’s a perfect day for baseball

No one in the stands
No runs no hits no errors
No movement in the pen
It’s a perfect day for baseball

The cathedral of the stadium
Has only feathered faithful
Praying for fallen peanuts
It’s a perfect day for baseball

It’s a perfect day for baseball
So let’s play the inside game
That knows no limits
That transcends time

It’s a perfect day for baseball
When Mariano offers up a cutter
To a smiling Stan the Man
And Willie makes a basket catch

It’s a perfect day for baseball
When Derek flips to Jackie
Who tosses to the luckiest
Man in the world, 6–4-#4

It’s a perfect day for baseball
When Roger hits one out
And Mickey hits one too
And Yogi says it’s deja vu

It’s a perfect day for baseball
When Hammerin’ Hank hits the wall
And the Splendid Splinter returns the ball
And Thurman lifts his mask and grumbles

It’s a perfect day for baseball
When Pee-Wee shakes a hand
And the Babe rounds the bases
Again with such small steps

On the canvas of absence
Let’s paint with the art of memory
Mixing colors and time
Let’s play the inside game

© 2020, by Raphael Badagliacca