The Umpire

THE UMPIRE

It is, from where he sees it, the right

call. In fact, every call is right

from where he sees it, because—as he

is fond of telling coaches—he calls it

how he sees it. Recalling the right

gesture for the judgement, the fitting

word, is simple enough. The real

game is in finding the right

angle to watch it all unfold,

and this before the dust is kicked

 

thick in the air, making it hard

not just to see but to breathe.

But easier said than done, this

ripping off of the mask

to shift into truer perspective,

and all the more so

beneath this oppressive sun, 

in late innings, and wearing this 

clunky suit, which he's sure that we, of

all people, could understand.