The Shoebox - Day 2

Jack Clark
1B - Cardinals
#350, Topps, 1986

You carried the error in Game Six
like a doubleknit sack of onions.
Turf fields at harvest fill mouths with blame
and hearts with bad opinions.

Eye black can swallow the sun as you squint
at a ball growing small in the distance.
If only you followed the first Ripper: fame
without burden of certain existence.

This game is for boys who were always old--
for threats who are never a promise.
The next era waits to be called up from hell
and brand the next highlights upon us.