“The Game of Catch” by Noah Stetzer (poetry, ’14)

The Game of Catch

Let me first try something idyllic: a ball that moves
between two men. They say a great player manages the thrown
ball’s position—steps forward, steps back—so that the ball

appears to move at a constant speed and he’s in the right
place at the right time—stationary fielders rarely make the catch;
so let’s say we’ve got a father with the expected son:

me standing still with my hand stretched out—but that won’t work—
the neuropathy has numbed my grip and he’s been dead a year now.
Let me show you instead: two strangers—let me use intercept or seize;

along with ways of exerting influence over one’s circumstance—reach
and board in time a train; perceive a glimpse; discern an idea, catch him
unawares, risk a whistle, a catchy tune to catch his eye, he’s a catch,

catch his arm, catch him off guard, I’m more of a catcher, catch my drift,
catch you later, catch up, did you catch my mistake? can’t catch a break,
catch the news? guys have been catching something,

there are worse things you can catch, don’t let it catch you
with your pants down, you’ll catch your death, who’s catching
what, what are we catching, what’s left to catch, catch […continue reading here]