by James Finn Garner
With apologies (not really needed) to Robert W. Service
There are strange things done in a season’s run
. Â By the characters ’round Citi Field
The yardbird gramps will loiter on ramps
. Â And tell you to keep your eyes peeled.
The borough of Queens has staged horrible scenes
. Â But the horriblest of them yet
Was a dark night in May, with the team put away,
. Â We got flipped off by Mr. Met.
Now Mr. Met, let no one forget,
. Â Has been around since the Amazin’s began.
The face of the team had a smile that beamed
. Â Brighter than any real Gotham man.
So when miserable play, day after day,
. Â Leaves the line twixt patience and torture blurred
It should be no surprise that even this guy
. Â Is reduced to giving the bird.
The Brewers had bombed ol’ Jacob deGrom
. Â And, heckled by some random slob,
Mr. Met let loose with a low-flying goose
. Â And now is out of a job.
When you see him there, in the crowd in Times Square,
. Â Taking snaps for tips with Iowa teens
With Elmo and Kermit, slow down and permit
. Â Him to reflect on what might have been.