the ball game

in the middle of the third
inning
after the seventh foul
ball back into
the seats,
and the pitcher adjusts
his cap, his
zipper, his sleeve,
you fall asleep
on the couch
with the dog in your
lap, the t.v.
on mute.
an hour later,
when you awaken,
it's the bottom of
the third
inning, no score,
so you go into the kitchen
to put a turkey
in the oven,
three hours
later, as you carve
it up for
a sandwich it's
the seventh inning.
so you stretch
and go for a walk
with your dog, you
talk to a few neighbors
about the game.
as the sun goes down
you sit back on
the couch and watch
the final inning,
as you put your pajamas
on before bed time.
you almost make
it to the last out,
but it's late,
you're tired, you
can read about it all
in the paper tomorrow.