Thomas Michael McDade - "Ted Williams - Still Smiling"

I was the one
in the Navy
but my baseball cards
went AWOL.

Thirty years later
I replaced them
settling for a '55
Ted with corners rounded
like an ace of clubs.

I plunked down $38.00
even though creases
indicated a string
of Yankee fans
abusing it
for stress of hex
when the rivalry
was in session.

Ted was still smiling
and so was I.

The '54 Ted that Topps
numbered "1"
that year had a
tiny "v" clipped out
of a corner
reminding me
of books and records
selling cheap,
but I paid $75.00
despite the evidence
of counting
spokes on bicycle wheels.

Ted was still smiling
as if he were mint -
screwed down in plastic
thick enough
to dome a stadium.