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Kevin Baker's book is here!
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Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Power of the Yankees



By Goin'yard Kipling


There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a Yankee to tear.

Buy a ticket and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a Yankee to tear.

When the pitchers' years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the trainer's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair
But . . . you've given your heart to a Yankee to tear.


When the team that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone to the broadcast booth --for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a Yankee to tear!

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.

Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've watched 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long
So why in Heaven (before we are there!)
Should we give our hearts to a Yankee to tear?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ye'r a better man than I am, Wailin' Sue.

michael kei said...

This puts all of Sterling's in-game poems to shame!

Anonymous said...

I hate poetry (it's a huge scam) but I love this.