Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PLAY BALL!, by WILLIAM A. PHELON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PLAY BALL!, by                    
First Line: Flags dance, bands bray, the gates are thrown ajar;
Last Line: "to that one crashing chorus of ""play ball!"
Subject(s): Athletes; Baseball; Sports


FLAGS dance, bands bray, the gates are thrown ajar;
Through every portal eager myriads pour—
King Baseball firmly grasps his ashen mace
And 'mid vast plaudits takes his throne once more!
Volumes of sound come roaring from the stands—
The far-off bleachers send back cheer on cheer;
The players march majestic down the field
And start light practice with the whizzing sphere!
Applause greets each grim veteran as he strides,
Doffing his cap, to his accustomed place.
A hearty welcome meets the newer men
And drives the stage-fright from each youthful face!
Song-pluggers and photographers, in droves,
Block off your view, obscure the glorious sight,
And through the aisles the peanut butchers move,
Hawking old goods, and jostling left and right!
In newest uniforms, the athletes leap.
A brilliant scene—but roses have their thorns,
And, in a subterranean, nearby cove,
The umpires polish up their hoofs and horns!
Massed, packed, and jammed, the stands and bleachers shake;
The managers strut proudly on the scene,
The practice grows much faster—furiously
The leather flies along the sparkling green!
At last! The fateful moment! Roar on roar
Greets the loud clangor of the gong's last call—
And all the universe seems grandly tuned
To that one crashing chorus of "Play Ball!"





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