home run

jogging through the park on this day
(aka-ed as devil’s night)
toward a tree the color of hot coals

i pass through the baseball field
and kick up some dust
for old times sake

i remember little league
me; the little guy
five-foot-one at age sixteen
but even smaller then

yet speedy on my tip toes
accurate from the mound
doubles: my forte
second base: my ground

but on that day
the bases were loaded
dad in the stands

the pitcher throws
the batter swings
the bat dings

i scurry the bases
like speedy gonzalez
inside the park

grand slam

i arrive safely at home plate
my giant of a coach scoops me up
the crowd goes wild

and the feeling is electric