theft

i never considered

stealing anything

after all the act

is really just an act

against oneself

you never know when it'll all

come back to bite you

even a friendly dog has limits

let me qualify this

the only thing i ever stole

was second

third

and once home

what a feeling

pony league was all about

playing by the rules

which meant stealing

so it was important

for at least one of my sons

to become a catcher

with a rifle arm

those who steal

need to fear

a hard peg to the base

'course you could say

this is all harmless baseball talk

or maybe you're missing

the one chance to be more bold

taking that extra step off the bag

upsetting the rhythm of the game

which might not be a game at all

there's a theft about to happen

it's the only one that counts

the crowd is stirring for an upset

the pitcher fidgets in the stretch

you wipe the dust and sweat off your hands

     crouch like a feral cat

ready to spring free

sliding head first

arm extended

the tag is late

because you stole

the only thing worth stealing

     that head start instant

     that extra step

--- e b bortz