lenten journal: striking out

striking out
(Monday, March 31, 5:17 pm EDT)

I don’t think
I’ve ever written a poem
in real time
by that I mean
when the subject is still in play
but its the top of the ninth
in the Red Sox’ fifth game
of this young season
and Rafael Devers
has done nothing
but strike out
the bat we know
we can count on
to come through
is 0-for-19
by now I’m sure
he is way beyond
second guessing
his stance his swing
the core of his very being
a week ago all the talk
about the summer to come
was full of hope and life
now I wonder
if folks grow quiet
when he nears them
in the dugout or locker room
everyone drowning in a sea
of awkward hopelessness
as much as I hate
to turn him into a metaphor
it’s the same feeling
I get watching the barrage
of chaos being hurled at us
I feel less than confident
those who work for peace
and justice have struck out
with the same consistency
as Rafi and the same gnawing
the game ended
about two lines ago
and though he walked
his last time at the plate
he is still hitless
what a way to end a poem

Peace,
Milton