Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SLUGGER'S FAREWELL TO HIS WAR CLUB, by C. P. MCDONALD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SLUGGER'S FAREWELL TO HIS WAR CLUB, by                    
First Line: Farewell, good old pal of the national pastime
Last Line: And now we must travel our separate ways.
Subject(s): Clubs (associations); Farewell; Games; Sports; Travel; Parting; Recreation; Pastimes; Amusements; Journeys; Trips


FAREWELL, good old pal of the national pastime,
From now on we travel our separate ways;
We've been on the field hand in hand for the last time
And won our last volley of cheers and of praise.
The ties that have bound us together are severed,
Who knows what the Fates for the future portend?
At all times to do our best we have endeavored,
We've grown old together, and now comes the end.

How happy we were and how sad is the story
That brings our companionship now to a close!
How faithfully you have worked, winning a glory
For one who henceforth as a has-been must pose!
From minor to major, then back to the minor,
And finally out altogether, you've stuck.
Responding to many a safety and liner
Until — well, I grew as slow as a truck.

And all the old friends that we laughed with and chaffed with
Have journeyed before us — some here and some there;
And all the staunch rooters we loved and went daft with
Whenever we boosted a pitcher in air;
And all the great games we have pickled and salted
Have long been forgotten as feats of a day;
And though we attained a place truly exalted,
Old age came along and has stowed us away.

No more, bat of mine, shall we wallop a single,
No more shall our prowess result in a run;
No more shall the yells of the fans set a-tingle
Our blood; for our days on the diamond are done.
So fare thee well, pal of the sunshiny weather,
We've won our last volley of cheers and of praise;
We've romped o'er the field for the last time together,
And now we must travel our separate ways.





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