Open Poetry #35 |
The First Time I Saw Jackie..... |
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
It was a day that fell between the cold of Winter's sting And warming rays that indicated days of early Spring, Not cold, not hot, a gentle breeze came rolling off the bay That made it feel like paradise on that mid-April day. I sat there with my baseball glove in my ten year old hands Looking at the lines of people filling up the stands. Ebbets Field was ready to begin another year. I sat there, waiting patiently, for my Bums to appear. I still recall I was surprised to hear my old man say, "Grab your glove, son. Let's head down to watch the Dodgers play." We seldom went to baseball games so it seemed strange to me. My dad was always working to support the family. But this time it was different, though I couldn't tell you why As if there were a glint of some emotion in his eye. Although it has been sixty years, his words live in me yet. He said, "This is a game I want you never to forget." So there I sat while waiting for the Dodgers to come out. In my ten year old world this was what life was all about. About three rows in front of me I saw a young black child Around the same age I was and he looked at me and smiled. The Dodgers took the field! The stands exploded with applause (Though cheering for the Bums was normally a hopeless cause!) Blacks outnumbered whites by more than double in those stands And, to a man, they all stood up and wildly clapped their hands. I must confess I was surprised to hear their mighty roar As if they'd never chanced to see a baseball game before And then I saw the reason for theirthundering outburst For, out there on the field, was a black man playing first!!! I'd never seen a black man in the Major Leagues before. I had a stack of baseball cards that dad bought at the store But everyone I had was white, not one with colored face Yet there he was at Ebbets Field, standing at first base. I'd heard about the Negro Leagues and WIllard "Home Run" Brown Cool Papa Bell, I heard them say, had been the best around And I recalled Ted Williams calling Satchel Paige by name While saying he had been the best to ever play the game. But in the major leagues? Wow! I thought that was really neat. He stood there like a giant, smoothing dirt out with his feet. I looked up at my dad and saw his eyes were shining bright. He put his arm around me as he squeezed my shoulder tight. Jackie was a BLACK man, not a caramel-colored, light- Skinned, cream in your coffee negro that could almost pass for white. He wore his blackness proudly as he stood out there on first, A drink of water for a people suffering from thirst. When Jackie came up to the plate the stands screamed out with joy, " C'mon, Jackie!! Hit it outta here!! We're with you, boy!!" With fingers crossed or hands in prayer, their pleas filled Brooklyn air As, to a man, they stood and cheered their hero standing there. In fairy tales or movies Jackie would have done just that And hit a homer every time that he came up to bat But, in the first he grounded out, third flied out straight away, The fifth he hit a grounder turned into a double play. It didn't matter, though. In days to come he'd show them all That he was more than worthy to be out there playing ball. The day was his, no matter what he did. They didn't care. What mattered to the people watching was that he was THERE!. The Dodgers won it, 5 to 3, and we got up to go. I saw the black boy rising, too, down in the other row. He smiled and stuck his thumb straight up and I did mine the same For we both knew that what we saw was more than just a game. The first time I saw Jackie was a day I won't forget. The vision of him standing there on first stays with me yet. Goliath wore a baseball cap on that day way back then, No arrow, rock or sling would ever bring him down again. [This message has been edited by Balladeer (06-06-2005 05:02 PM).] |
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© Copyright 2005 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
What a write! What an experience! What a memory! So vivid! So stirring! ~ Rockwell would have had a field day painting scenes right out of this empassioned piece of real life poetry! Linda [This message has been edited by Earth Angel (06-04-2005 09:24 PM).] |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
This style is your homefield advantage lovie, so this home run doesn't surprise me a bit. But know my appreciation isn't lessened by familiarity and yes, my expectation of excellence. Everytime I read you, I smile. I know how hard this is accomplish. Homerun, Mike! |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Bravo Sir!! Indeed this is a homerun! Excellent write 'Deer!! Another keeper for my library. ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
'Deer, ya gone and dun it again. Smacked one ouf of the part! Great message, much enjoyed.. |
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wandering glider Senior Member
since 2001-04-04
Posts 501aloft |
Impressive piece, Sir! |
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MorninGlory Member
since 2003-08-30
Posts 175Oklahoma |
There aren't too many moments in our lifetime that leave a lasting impression so much as something like this. We all remember where we were when Kennedy was shot (those of us that were alive back then), for instance, we can remember that moment when we heard that news vividly. This had to be a moment like that for so many. You paint a wonderful snapshot of a remarkable day, one that changed baseball forever. This is a beautiful creation and worthy of much praise. |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Balladeer...Enjoyed this gem of a story that has stayed with you a lifetime...Paul ~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~ |
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Canuckster Member
since 2002-01-09
Posts 285New Mexico, USA |
A write worthy of the subject. What an experience to have been there and seen him play. I envy you and applaud your writing which took me there. Thank you never try to teach a pig to sing |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
This was just wonderful, Balladeer. |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Great tribute, Balladeer! I saw him play, too. I will never forget it! ....jo |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
This actually sent shivers through me.You are the master. Sent it to my baseball loving grandson.... martyjo |
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
Aren't those special memorable days the jewels of ones life? And as always, you worded them beautifully my dear friend in your special ballad way. Titia Like scattered leaves...my words will flow |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
My son said that was incredible and he sent it to his own team players to read! (They are all grown men.) His mother wishes to tell you that I could hear you reading that - strange right? I did, I did! Again, you made me cry. What a storyteller you are. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Earth Angel...I think Rockwell would have done it proud. Thank you! serentiy gal...my thanks for your expectation of excellence...keeps me trying harder. Thank you, belle.. Enchantress...thank you!!! Feel like I should change my name to Homer!! Magnus...and those fences are getting farther away!! Thanks, my friend. glider...thank you - and call me Mike MorninGlory..thank you for such a kind comment. Yes, there are times that stand out and mark passages in our lives. This was one... Paul...I thank you, assuming you know it's just a story and I'm not old enough to have been there!!!! Canuckster..I'm sure it was a wonderful experience for everyone who was there...my thanks. SmartChick..thank you, my good friend. iliana...how lucky you are....I never did! Thank you martyjo...I hope he likes it..hugs at you! Titia...yes, jewels they are...and you are one yourself..thank you, my Dutchie. Mysteria..please give your son my thanks and I send his mother a kiss on the cheek in gratitude. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Indeed - another of your wonders, m'deer - I enjoyed every word... A home run for sure... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thanks to your Dad... he didn't allow us to forget, either. |
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Kristabell Senior Member
since 2003-11-29
Posts 678Portland, OR |
Good story. I loved your rhyming too. Nice. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Balladeer~ This is now a 'favorite' of yours that has been printed and tucked inside my First Edition book of Sports Stories From 1945~ (can you believe I FOUND the book laying at a corner bus stop in a sprinkling rain ?) You tell such stories so wonderfully, they have a magic of their own~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
This is superb, Deer... I swear I could smell the peanuts as well as see the quill on history's pages. *S* |
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