Baseball Poem

Life

by Jim "Mudcat" Grant

Life is like a game of baseball
And you play it every day.
It isn't just the breaks you get,
But the kind of game you play.

Stop and look the whole team over,
You've got dedication there.
You're bound to be a winner,
With men who really care.

Your pitcher's name is courage,
You need him in this game.
For trust and faith your keystone men,
The grounders they will tame.

Your centerfielder is very fast,
Though small and hard to see.
So watch him when he gets the ball,
He's opportunity.

At first base there's religion,
He's stood the test of time.
At third base there is brotherhood,
A stalwart of the nine.

Your leftfielder is ambition,
Don't ever let him shirk.
Rightfielder is a husky man,
You'll find his name is work.

Your catcher's name is humor,
He's important to the scheme.
While honor is pitching from the bull pen,
Your game is always clean.

With love on your bench,
You've perfection, no less.
And a winning team,
With joy and happiness.

The other team is strong,
Greed, envy, hatred, and defeat
Are four strong infielders you'll have to buck,

To make your game complete.

Discouragement and falsehood,
Are the big boys in the pen.
You'll have to swing hard,
When you meet up with them.

Carelessness and a man called waste,
You'll find them playing hard.
And selfishness and jealousy,
None can you disregard.

There's one more man you'll have to watch,
He's always very near.
He's the pitcher for this team,
I'm told his name is fear.

The game will not be easy,
There'll be struggle, there'll be strife.
To make the winning runs,
For it's played on the field of life.

So stand behind your team,
There'll be many who'll applaud.
Just remember you are the player,
And the umpire there is God.