Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Poem About Baseball" is a short poem by Denis Johnson that explores the game of baseball and its significance beyond the field. The poem was first published in Johnson's collection of poetry titled "The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly" in 1995.

Explanation:

The poem begins by describing a baseball game and the thrill of watching the ball being hit. The speaker marvels at the "long trajectory" of the ball and the way it "dwindles and is gone." However, the poem quickly shifts to a more philosophical tone as the speaker notes that baseball is a game of "never-ending possibility," where "anything can happen." The game, in this sense, becomes a metaphor for life itself, where anything is possible and one must be ready for anything. The poem ends on a wistful note, with the speaker acknowledging that despite the excitement and possibility of the game, "most of us will never be famous."

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of a single stanza of six lines, with no specific rhyme scheme.
• Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe the excitement of a baseball game and the way the ball travels through the air.
• Metaphor: The poem uses baseball as a metaphor for life and the idea that anything is possible if one is open to it.
• Tone: The poem shifts from excitement to a more contemplative, philosophical tone as it explores the larger meaning of the game.

Conclusion:

"A Poem About Baseball" is a brief but thoughtful meditation on the game of baseball and its broader significance. Through its use of vivid imagery and metaphor, the poem suggests that baseball is more than just a game, but a reflection of life itself and the endless possibilities it presents.

Poem Snippet:

"Anything can happen. The tallest

guy in the world could come up

to bat and never hit a home run.

Most of us will never be famous."