Perennial Opening Day Poem

It's been a while since I last posted on BCB - a tough 2008 with health/medical issues that kept me occupied; but never far away from my beloved Cubbies!

I am getting ready to head out to wet, soggy, glorious Wrigley Field - hopefully Left Field Bleachers, unless I opt for the protection in Center Field - "Put me in Coach!..."

I posted this poem in the past under my old screen name which changed when SBNation was introduced to BCB.

I still plan on merging this poem with some background music, which I did find - George Winston's instrumental on harmonica, 'Maris' Farewell'.

This poem was written on my first ever Opening Day game attendance at Wrigley - now twenty-nine years ago.

I hope to be inspired today to start penning a sequel or at least something memorable. 

Go Cubs!

Someday...

Poem follows.....

The 17th of April 19 Eight O

An Autumn-Spring sky on Chicago’s North side,

Marked the most special occasion as Opening Day.

From season to season the structure had stood,

That was called Wrigley Field – Cubs Park, just as good.

The neighborhood, East Lakeview, where the crowds had arrived

By L, bus, and auto was coming alive.

Not Mardi Gras, or Christmas, or Fourth of July,

Could match the anticipation, the bravado, the high.

Loyal fans they were called- Diehards to some

Who weathered each Winter and still they would come,

With an indomitable spirit and hopes of the day,

When ‘Wait Till Next Year’ would just fade away…

In pregame festivities the fans milled about,

Buying hotdogs and beers to help with the shouts;

For their Cubbies were heroes from early childhood days,

No matter the fact that no pennant was won.

But now the game’s starting – the perennial chance –

To play Autumn-Spring baseball in October at last!

In this dreamlike sense of aura, thoughts drift to the past.

For here in the Friendly Confines, no time seems to elapse.

The young and the old, the new and the few,

All share in a time capsule which bridges the gaps

Of generations who will follow the footsteps, the tracks,

Which lead to Clark and Addison, Waveland, Sheffield, and back!

© 1980; Genetic Cubs Fan Press, Bolingbrook, IL 60440