Ed Werstein Verse-Virtual 2016 June

June 2016

I am currently the East Region VP of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (wfop.org). I'm in love with another V-V contributor the fantastic Sylvia Cavanaugh. My chapbook, Who Are We Then? was published by Partisan Press. You can find examples of my other work on Your Daily Poem and on Little Eagle's RE/Verse.

The Two Eddies

When I was twelve, the knowledge
that there were no left-handed third basemen
in the major leagues did not dampen
my dreams and aspirations.

All summer, when the chores were done
I’d take a rubber ball and practice
the art of fielding by throwing it
low against the bricks of our house,

trying as it skidded on the sidewalk
or caromed around the yard I’d just mown
to will it into the webbing of my glove,
the glove with Eddie Mathews’ autograph
scrolling in silver script down the thumb.

Then grabbing the ball and wheeling my left over
my head, I’d fire it back high aiming
for an imaginary first baseman standing halfway
between the dining room and kitchen windows.

If his career lasted long enough
and I worked hard, I’d be ready
to take his place when he retired.
Future fans when asked to name their favorite
third basemen would all respond. “The Two Eddies.”

My cousins, Rich and Joe, and me (far right) holding
a bat, c. 1954.

Eddie Mathews