I see you goofing
round the bases
knowing with only three-quarter
speed you can
outrun half the kids
on your team
and saving the jet propulsion
in your thighs
for when you’re matched
against arch-opponent Jason
the only player
with the slightest chance
to beat you
I’ve seen it in your eyes
the dream of the Bambino
the cocksure glint of the Kid
just as I’ve seen
the Josh Gibson anger
that under your black skin
they won’t ever give
fair credit to
your warrior’s heart
and that your champion’s body
might run years
for nothing
but the love of it and
love of winning
but you can never win enough
for this world
that’s constantly intent
on overtaking you and
I’ve seen you run
full-thrust
breaking even your own past record
and awing everyone
with the intensity we’ll
pay anything to see
once in a lifetime
in an athlete
when you ran those bases
like the devil himself
was on your tail
and the only reason
anyone can run like that
or play like that
or break every single record
ever laid down
is because they know
because they’ve been gifted
to know even
at 8 years old
he really is.
