by Stephen Jones
A pitcher’s foot digging in
on the mound a cloud of dust
swirling ’round his ankle
A batter’s foot digging in
in the box a cloud of dust
swirling ’round his ankle
The pitcher leaning forward
shaking off then agreeing
The batter leaning over
spitting now staring for
A coiled windup then release
a white blur’d delivery . . .
And then the sudden stagger
back . . . chin music
(Axiom: Don’t crowd the plate)