Sunday, June 20, 2010

Fred Chappell - "Strike Zone"

for Joe Nicholls

Like the Presidency its size
depends upon the man.

Paneless window he doesn't want to smash,
the pitcher whittles at the casement.

The batter peers
into it like a peeping tom.
Does he like what he sees?

The limits get stricter
as they get less visible:

throwing at yards & yarks of McCovey,
an inch or so
of Aparicio,
the pitcher tries not to go
bats.

The umpire knows a secret.
But he gives no sign.

Ball 2.

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