Infield Suite

By Bob Stanley

As we file in
the symmetrical green
begins to play its little music
soft strum of gloves tasting soft dirt
swung by bodies loose and warm –

Fielding – being of the field,
at one, loose, low,
strong and centered –
the process of finding that center –
Fielding.

* * * *

Keep the ball down
comin’ in, comin’ in
two out, two on,
a jam you’re in
you know you’ve arrived
ball in hand
with a one-run lead
as you stand on the mound
you have all that you need
let fly the ball
let it cast its design

* * * *

It wasn’t recording the out at first base
it wasn’t the hand-slapping victory dance
the end of the inning, the end of the game

but the moment
two down
bases full
all at stake

when you paused and looked
into center
and back

at the game that had brought you
to stand in this spot

Evening warm
ball in glove

it’s small
it’s white
and forever
in this life
you will reach for it
in its flight.