by James Finn Garner
I was warmly surprised
That the new Yankee Stadium
Has all those spare seats
(And good ones, too!)
For the ghosts of all the fans
In the Yankee Universe who never made it there:
The Bowery Bum who could never buy a ticket,
The upstate farmer who could never spare time,
The soldier who fought alongside Joltin’ Joe and never made it back,
The street kid who played catch with junk and never had a chance, at anything.
I bet a Bombers game on the radio
Was sometimes a cooling touch of silk that eased their minds,
And Yankee Stadium unseen was
A green heaven they didn’t know they wished for.
Now they’re behind home plate,
Feet up, leaning back,
Making good use of the space.
Here’s to them,
And to the good-hearted Yankees.
Posted 6/4/2009