A friend of mine reminded me that pitchers and catchers report in about three weeks, so…
Pitchers and Catchers, 2019
There is something magic
about the change of the calendar
from January to February.
There is still the pile of snow in the driveway
and the mound of boots
and gloves
and scarves
and knit caps
next to the front door,
and the snow blower
stands silent sentinel in the garage.
But once the calendar changes
it is a mere two weeks
until
pitchers and catchers report,
and that, my friends,
is a
moment to be savored.
The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel
breaks through the gloom of winter,
and the muscle memory
of bleacher seats warmed by the sun
revives our spirits.
We lean forward as if to hear
the leather-meeting-leather POP
of the spring training fastball,
and everything sensory about the game returns.
The familiar rhythms and rituals
unique to the ballpark
play out in our memory,
a smile breaks through,
and a contented sigh follows,
as February moves into the lineup,
and January takes a seat on the bench.
Herm Card, 2019
