When the Game Changed

I loved to play baseball
in my old town I could never get it right
then I found a place that appreciated me
more than I thought possible
now I was first up to bat
and hit those home runs
stealing first base
sneaking to second
sliding home
to the screams of the crowds

I had them on their feet

I knew how to spin that ball
just the right twist
the right pressure
to hit the sweet spot
and sending the crowd into an ecstatic roar
as we won game after game

We never lost

I lived for the days we played
and the attention on and off the field
embracing the crowds
as they embraced me
I never wanted it to end

Then one day
a new game was being played
one that I couldn't play
I didn't know the rules
I didn't have the equipment

I watched through the gates
all the people familiar looking
the same but not the same

The crowd saw me and smiled
remembering the days we had
then turned away
back to their new game
their new love

and I wept