Anna Yaphe Levine

Ninth Inning

I grip
and whip
ball flies
on by
"Strike One!"

Next throw
goes low
whips past
too fast
"Strike Two!"

I swing
then Zing!
I smack
it back.
Then ace
first base.
Run on
past Jon.
Through third
I'm spurred,
then slide --

-- too wide --!

A gust
of dust
the crowd's
in clouds.
Dark skies
Deep sighs.
Lost game,
no fame

"Hey you!"

"Reach out!"
they shout.
"The plate,
stretch straight!"
then

Thwack!

I'm back!

"He's in!
We win!"

HOMERUN!

by Anna Levine, first published in Cricket Magazine, 2004. Translated into Spanish