bottom of the ninth
at the sound of the bat
feet flee from first base to second
body suddenly veering toward the outfield
as the infielder kicks the ball
quickly picks it up and stretches and lunges
trying to tag the third out
untouched
the runner stumbles onto the bag
looks up at the tying run
crossing home plate
but wait
the second base umpire is making a ruckus
his hands waving
madly in the air
arms sweeping in circular fashion
now standing
the runner on second hangs his head
knowing the game is over
called out for running
out of the baseline
players and coaches run wildly
to and fro
either screaming ecstatically
or in angry disbelief
some thirty thousand fans
casting lots for the umpire’s head
their perfect day ruined by human conjecture
may two thousand fourteen
copyright j matthew waters
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