The Catch !

It's not just about winning ...

Standing lonesome and pitiful, far out by the boundary rope
the day was beginning to really drag and I was fast losing hope,
I’d failed once more with the bat, yet another calamity
so now I’m watching fluffy clouds pass by, oh dear, woe is me!

Why did I not invent some paltry excuse, then call or send a text
informing him I could not play, even though he would be vexed?
Like my second cousin once removed is visiting, or the dog’s not well
but our skipper is a shrewd old bird and a rat he'd easily smell!

Now don’t take me up wrong or get confused, I do enjoy the game 
but lately I have been faltering and really, I’ve only myself to blame
as despite his protestations, I think weekly practice on the whole,
is boring so I don’t attend, that’s probably why I never get on to bowl!

Goodness gracious a wicket down, Grieves has got one to nip back
not a bad effort I suppose, though perhaps it hit a crack?
My o my he’s done it again, their big hitter has played all around
LBW and now he’s taking the long walk,  returning to the visitor’s compound!

But it won’t make any difference;  they’ll easily overtake our score 
although the skipper and young Endicott, battled as if they were in a war,
they got us to some sort of total, though hard for me to observe
Gee-whiz the skippers just bowled his counterpart, boy, he's got nerve! 

Despite these minor triumphs,  their joviality is on parole
as this  alacrity won’t last long, now old Tobias is on to bowl,
I know the old duffer loves his cricket, but it really is a joke
he's getting on in years though I admit, still a sprightly bloke!

Panic must be setting in, a dolly missed and the ball hits middle stump
then another LBW, two run outs, a stumping, old Tobias has got the hump,
but they only need a few to win then I'll  get home, ending this servitude
Ah a mighty whack, now that ball is travelling like a rocket, gaining altitude!

But what goes up must come down, is much more than just a cliché
though and behold that little red ball, is now fast falling  down my way,
as I watch it descend an ethereal transition overcomes my mind,
time slows up and within those elongated,  seconds, no longer am I  blind!

Like a soothsayer, now I clearly see my teammates through an inward eye
my skipper’s fortitude,  leading by example and never saying "Die"!
And there's Grieves and Endicott, neither born with silver spoon
a proud father and his son, straining every sinew each Saturday afternoon!

Finally I see Tobias,  a decorated old soldier who knew much worldly strife
each week he looks forward to a game,  long since retired from army life,
then instantly this time portal disappears;  I’m back waiting for the catch
and as the ball lands firmly within my eager grasp, I can't wait for next week’s match!

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Team spirit is what it’s all about, Tom. When you are on a team, even if you are having a bad day, you owe it to the other players to show up and play as hard as you can. A team is like a family and they all support one another. When one player does not show up, it hurts every other player. Responsibility, yes, but also a wonderful feeling of comradery that means so much to so many. As always, your rhythm and rhyming is spot on and you tell such a good story. I enjoyed this. Lydi**

[Tom]

Thank you Lydia and as always you have captured my little story's raison d'etre quite marvelously indeed!

[A. Amos]

You seemed like a great cricket fan...most of your writing you take your reader into a match. I enjoy reading your work...well done!

[Tom]

Thank you A. Yes indeed I do enjoy the sport and likewise I enjoy your fine literacy skills !

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome my friend, I'm just a humble deep thinker...thank you.

[Sophy Freebirds]

I could really watch this match from the gallery.You like a whining school kid just wanted to drop the match cause your fire had lessened but the catch rekindles your passion and "hows that!!" ;) Every match you win boosts your spirit and which you lose teaches you a lesson. I just enjoyed the match. Good luck for your next matches Tom.

~Sophy

[Tom]

धन्यवाद. You understood my poem's purpose and reason so well !

[Sophy Freebirds]

:) ahh.. you are welcome muchly.

[Matching Socks]

Ha. Love the poor excuses you considered in the second stanza.
What's LBW?
Anyway, great little story/poem. Sometimes you gotta take one for the team, show up and play hard.
I'm a big fan of sport, there's such great material there for drama and comedy. :-)

[Tom]

Thank you Ance, LBW is short for leg before wicket, another way the bowler can get the batsman out if the ball hits his leg (pads) if while he ( the batsman) is standing infront of the wicket !

[Woody]

I find this funny and entertaining. I like your rhyming, too.
I'll have to admit, though, that I missed on a few things here as I understand next to nothing about cricket. well, I know the ones that chirp at night.
took a peek at a few other poems. boy! you must love cricket!!

[Tom]

Mrs Tom regularity complains of being a cricket widow but then women are awfully selfish creatures, don't you think so Woody ? ?

[Woody]

I know what you mean, Tom. believe me. but maybe that's, funnily, what makes them irresistable.

[Tom]

You do have a point Woody.. lol !

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Bravo!!

You always bring it, Tom!...

There is excitement and passion in this game... one in which each person has a part...

Team work is the key to success...

Well penned!~xoxo~:)

[Tom]

Yes indeed Robbie as I thought you would, you've grasped my point & thank you for your welcome visit!

[J. J. Nightingale]

Did enjoy the game..
Felt like I was there..


Well done.Jazz

[Tom]

Thank you J.J.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You r welcome.......:)

[Great Aunt Astri]

You do what you do, with your cricket poetry , brilliantly. I am almost beginning to like cricket!

[Tom]

Thanks indeed Great Auntie A, for it surely is the gospel I preach!! (well almost) lol

[Great Aunt Astri]

Well you have nearly got me converted!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i find this poem exhilirating...the spirit shown...and the whole idea of giving it all for the team..

and this title...well automatically i think of my all -time favorite baseball player, Willie Mays and his catch in the 1954 World Series against the heavily favored Indians..which started the landslide to a Giants' 4-0 win in the series.

i was a kid in NY in the 50's...and was lucky enough to follow all the NY teams then...

i couldn't wait for the next game, either.

[Tom]

Thanks Jacob and yes indeed, 'esprit de corps' !

[Lyn Anderson]

Well, I can't really say it better than Lydia. I love your ability to weave your sports experiences into these moral tales.

[Tom]

Thank you KL for your most welcome, wholesome review !

[icelandicblue]

There is so much that happens in those moments whether on the field or in life. We are a team and that connection gives us the extra push to do the extraordinary not for ourselves but for those who depend on us. It's a lovely poem of friendship and being part of something bigger.

[Tom]

Yes indeed ice'blue, you grasped 'the gist' of my poem precisely and thank you kindly for your favourable review!