by Jilly Dybka
Source: Fair Territory (2004)
Perhaps it's the umps always makeing 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.
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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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Poet from Tennessee
Spring 2005
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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.
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