-wonder of the world-

sitting in the stands

as baseball is played,
played in the rough of its game

not a pro in the park

where dugouts are benches

loose and loud and tobacco-spit free;
where baseball moves without money

and the beauty of the game is clearly seen.

the small set of stands at the third
base line are sparsely filled,
but active, without regular order.

the bakery across the street
behind the third base line sells pizza
shaped like the infield, a wide diamond.
the variety store across the street
from the first base line sells snacks
and ice-cold Coca-Cola.
cool, clear water bubbles from the fountainhead
on the corner behind the backstop.
the opposing left fielders share a five-finger glove,
tossing it one to the other as they pass
with the change of the innings.
in the stands, the people see this exchange
as a performance in "good sportsmanship"
sharing their pride with nods of approval
to their opponent fans, row to row.

the sun is setting beyond the western
banks of the river from the park where
baseball is played in the rough, a knotted

score at nine a side in the top of the eighth
as the voice from a wonder of the world
is heard from the mouth of the game.