Now, that it is 2016, it is time to publish the 9th poem about the Dukes. Seeing that a baseball game generally lasts 9 innings, my intent is for this poem to be the final installment of poems about the Dukes. Of course, just as baseball game sometimes goes more than nine innings, I reserve the right to take this collection of poems into extra innings in the future.
Having said that, please enjoy THE 9TH, AND FINAL?, INNING.
Peace
A collection of all nine poems is available here.
Also, a few years ago, I put the adventures of the Dukes into novel form. You can read that tale, THE GAMBLE, here.
The 9th, and Final?, Inning
For the Dukes, the ninth inning is the best one of all
Win or lose, it gives closure to one and to all
At times, it goes quickly three up and three down
The Dukes seal a win ‘gainst some visiting clowns
Of course, there are times when a big lead is lost
A ninth inning comeback...defeat is the cost
Then, there is the flip side
Dukes come from behind
And pull out a win
Victory’s sight to the blind
That’s probably the best for those
There at the end
A walk-off surprise they can share with a friend
Indeed in the ninth, clocks are usually late
A sleepy ride home for the patient awaits
Yet, bed time or not, they hold on in their seats
To savor the game, every pitch is a treat
Will it go to the tenth? There’s a chance that could be
11 or 12? More free baseball to see.
As long as the Dukes have a pitch left to throw
As long as their bats have more outs left you know
The faithful will be there as loud as can be
Past midnight until even 2:23.
c2016 Mike Tauser
