Harwell

Full moon driving thru God's Country,

ballgame scanning ensnared me in a time capsule

orchestrated by announcing's last mohican.

Ernie Harwell wove verbal tapestries

as unique and valuable in their way

as physical ones of centuries ago -

both deserve museum entry as examples

of pieces created when artisans cared.

Harwell called games

before Rizzuto's 5th major league year

and was shepherded by two titans -

Red Barber and Russ Hodges.

When Bobby Thomson's historic shot

flushed Brooklyn's toilet in '51,

Ernie worked word magic

for televisioned Giant fans.

Today's t v weaned pale imitations

whose idea of poetic brilliance is "ball two"

His vocal wallet of details

bought your mind a ballpark seat.

If he said a foul took 6 bounces

into the Tiger dugout

it damn sure didn't take 5 or 7.

Weaving thru rolling hills,

passing acres of barren tobacco stalks,

watching ancient pick ups roll past

hunting deer with headlights,

Harwell's soft southern drawl bound all

into a proud piece of Americana

as Rockwellian as 3 crates of empties

beside an R C Cola machine.

Harwell's "retired" - 

no longer are all Detroit broadcasts 1962

except in memory's theater.

"...and the righthandah wheels and delivahs...."

Works for me.

Dan Taylor