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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CATCHER, by WILLIAM A. PHELON
First Line: Like a rhinoceros, in style and grace
Last Line: And he holds on—the mainstay of the team!
Variant Title(s): The Old Catcher
Subject(s): Aging; Athletes; Baseball; Sports
First Line: Like a rhinoceros, in style and grace
Last Line: And he holds on—the mainstay of the team!
Variant Title(s): The Old Catcher
Subject(s): Aging; Athletes; Baseball; Sports
LIKE a rhinoceros, in style and grace,
He lumbers slowly to his usual place,
Armors himself from cranium to shin,
Growls at the pitcher, and says "Soak them in!"
He's twice as homely as a hippo's cub,
But he's the backbone of that baseball club!
He may not gather sudden gleams of fame,
But when he's forty, he'll be in the game—
He sees the youngsters come, and sees them pass,
Like firebugs, flashing briefly in the grass—
He sees the start and finish of each dream,
And he holds on—the mainstay of the team!
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