Men’s league ballplayer

Men’s league ballplayer

By Nick Visconti

Illustration by Sam Williams

Beneath his hat his hair ebbs
though it spills down his neck
 
like a subtle lie. The ligaments
holding him together wheeze
 
and pop, taking after his lungs,
beaten to hell by smoke-breaks
 
between innings. He still lays out
in the gravel-strewn outfield,
 
bottlecaps and rocks, these days.
Shoulders frozen, hips, locked,
 
destined for replacement. If he
were to retire, who would he be?
 
Why does his family, once a main-
stay down the foul line, stay home?

This poem was nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

Nick Visconti is a writer living in Brooklyn with an artist, and a cat. He plays softball most weekends.

Sam Williams is a cartoonist, comics publisher, and baseball enthusiast based in Bournemouth, UK.

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