"You're Up Girl"

"You're Up Girl"

I obediently wait my turn
All I can grip is my baseball cap
Nervous thoughts bribing me to quit

Standing tall taking my time
Hearing snickers from the enemy
Ignoring their judge-filled eyes

My bat glued to my hands
Staring down at home plate
Forecasting a strike
their team starts moving in

“Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
Whispering to myself

Tightening my grip
Swinging from the hell in me
Achieving tenderness of a hit

Yearning to run home
I pass through first base

I pass their absence on second base
Gloves sealed hands above surprised heads
Helmet flying off my hair in the wind

Stopped bound to third
Positioning for another team player
the pitcher winds up his ball

I saw my chance
Testing odds
I stepped off base

Stealing more than a win
Tempting fate
Running home
I run leap and smile
Beyond my opponents watchful eyes
Fulfilling a free-gendered teams wish

Hank Aaron whispers in my ear
"Last year, I was sort of a kid and I was a little scared, I ain't scared any more."
Running through home plate

Dirt covers my leather touched skin
Seeking refuge in the dugout
happy and afraid
consequences of our win

Applauding crowd
smiling boys and girls
in-line with my destiny
shaking hands with the now beaten enemy

Laughing at my nerves
Tomorrows another day, another game
Playing on our diamond in the rough