Spring 2005- June
Title of Poem: Dirty Ball
Name of Poet: Jilly Dybka
Rating: 4 laurels out of 5 laurels
Jilly Dybka's poem "Dirty Ball" is a rhymed poem in a traditional form called the sonnet.
The first 12 lines has a rhyming pattern of abab, cdcd, efef.
The poem has 14 lines. The couplet is the last two lines of the poem.
The poem is about cheating in America's favorite sport- baseball.
Jilly reveals her expertise in baseball by showing in her poem how baseball players cheat in baseball.
How is cheating done in baseball?
According to Jilly, cheating in baseball is done by using vaseline, stealing baseball signs, using a steroid like androstene, corked bats, nail files...
Jilly says in her poem:
"We are profoundly shocked when we hear
of the cheats. The gamblers. The Androstene.
Desperate tools to establish an edge:
Stolen signs. Corked bats. Nail files. Vaseline.
Any means to achieve an advantage."
The poem's last two lines reveal that cheating in baseball is an abomination and a scandal.
Jilly says in her poem-
"It's an abomination - a scandal -
when ball players resort to dirty ball."
Jilly's passion for baseball can be seen in the poem.
Hence, this poem is nominated "Best Poem of the Year 2004" for 2005 Muses Prize.
Poet from Tennessee
Spring 2005-June
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Jilly Dybka lives in Kingston Spring, Tennessee, with jazz musician husband, Darryl. Her poetry appeared in Michigan Quarterly Review, Elysian Fields Quarterly, Spitball and other literary magazines. She roots for the Nashville Sounds Triple - A Minor League team.
Title of Poem: Flyball
Poet: Jilly Dybka
Rating: 3.5 laurels out of 5 laurels
available in print edition.
by Jilly Dybka
Source: Fair Territory (2004)
Perhaps it's the umps always making sure,
on the prim field that makes baseball appear
uncorruptible. Primevally pure.
We are profoundly shocked when we hear
of the cheats. The gamblers. The Androstene.
Desperate tools to establish an edge:
Stolen signs. Corked bats. Nail files. Vaseline.
Any means to achieve an advantage.
Hollow accomplishments, but effective.
Sometimes the wrong is too grave to absolve but
frequently, fans have been fast to forgive.
A slow burn moves through the news when found out
It's an abomination - a scandal -
when ball players resort to dirty ball.
--------------------
Fly Ball
by Jilly Dybka
Source: Fair Territory (2004)
There's nothing more full of expectation
than a big sweeping swing at a baseball.
That's why fly balls are such a frustration
The fans can feel their anticipation fall
with the ball right in the glove. Second out.
The center fielder was right under it.
The next slugger is up and takes a cut.
Fouls back in the crowd and mouths dammit.
(The camera always catches when they curse
or when they pick their nose or spit or scratch.
Baseball's ballsy, for better or for worse.)
The third out comes on a warning-track catch.
The relief pitcher's retired the side.
Bottom of the ninth and the game's still tied.
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Available in print edition.
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