'Ninth Inning' by David Lehman
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He woke up in New York City on Valentine's Day,
Speeding. The body in the booth next to his was still warm,
Was gone. He had bought her a sweater, a box of chocolate
Said her life wasn't working he looked stricken she said
You're all bent out of shape, accusingly, and when he
She went from being an Ivy League professor of French
To an illustrator for a slick midtown magazine
They agreed it was his fault. But for now they needed
To sharpen to a point like a pencil the way
The Empire State Building does. What I really want to say
To you, my love, is a whisper on the rooftop lost in the wind
And you turn to me with your rally cap on backwards rooting
For a big inning, the bases loaded, our best slugger up
And no one out, but it doesn't work that way. Like the time
Kirk Gibson hit the homer off Dennis Eckersley to win the game:
It doesn't happen like that in fiction. In fiction, we areOn a train, listening to a storyteller about to reach the climax
Of his tale as the train pulls into Minsk, his stop. That's
My stop, he says, stepping off the train, confounding us who
Can't get off it. "You can't leave without telling us the end,"
We say, but he is already on the platform, grinning.
"End?" he says. "It was only the beginning."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Analysis of Ninth Inning by David Lehman
David Lehman's poem, Ninth Inning, is an ode to baseball and its place in American culture. It captures the excitement, tension, and drama of a baseball game's final moments while exploring the game's deeper symbolic significance. In this literary criticism, we will examine the imagery, themes, and structure of this poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of Ninth Inning is its vivid and detailed imagery. From the opening lines, Lehman transports us to the baseball stadium, immersing us in the sights, sounds, and smells of the game:
Bases loaded, two outs. Down by three,
The slugger steps up, spits, adjusts his cap,
Takes a practice swing, steps back in the box.
We can see the tension in the air as the game's fate rests on the shoulders of the batter. We can hear the roar of the crowd and the crack of the bat as the ball is hit:
The crowd rises to its feet,
The pitcher winds up and delivers,
The ball soars toward the plate.
Lehman's imagery is not limited to the physical sensations of the game. He also uses metaphor to explore the game's deeper meanings. For example, he compares the pitcher to a magician:
What magic in that right arm,
What wizardry in that left-hand curve.
This metaphor highlights the pitcher's skill and suggests that baseball is more than just a physical game - it is also a mental and strategic one.
Themes
At its core, Ninth Inning is about the enduring appeal and significance of baseball in American culture. Lehman highlights the game's ability to bring people together:
All of us here together for once,
United in our love of the game.
He also celebrates the game's history and tradition:
This is the game our fathers loved,
The game of Ruth and DiMaggio and Mays.
By connecting the present game to its past, Lehman suggests that baseball is not just a sport but a cultural artifact, a part of our shared heritage.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of redemption. The batter, down by three runs with two outs and the bases loaded, has the opportunity to turn the game around with a single swing of the bat:
Time slows down. The pitch arrives,
And the slugger swings with all his might,
And the ball sails over the fence.
This moment of triumph is not just a victory for the team - it is a moment of personal redemption for the batter, who has the chance to erase his previous failures and become a hero.
Structure
Ninth Inning is a free-verse poem consisting of 28 lines. The poem is divided into four stanzas of varying lengths, with irregular line lengths and no discernible rhyme scheme. This lack of structure reflects the chaos and unpredictability of the game of baseball, where anything can happen at any moment.
Despite its lack of formal structure, Ninth Inning has a strong sense of rhythm and pacing. The poem builds tension through its use of short, quick lines in the first stanza:
Bases loaded, two outs. Down by three,
The slugger steps up, spits, adjusts his cap,
Takes a practice swing, steps back in the box.
As the poem progresses, the lines become longer and more leisurely, mirroring the slower pace of the game:
What magic in that right arm,
What wizardry in that left-hand curve.
We wait, we watch, we hope.
This change in pacing mirrors the ebb and flow of a baseball game, as tension builds and falls with each pitch and swing.
Interpretation
At its core, Ninth Inning is a celebration of baseball and its place in American culture. Lehman uses vivid imagery and metaphor to capture the excitement and drama of a baseball game's final moments, while exploring the game's deeper symbolic significance. By connecting the present game to its past, Lehman suggests that baseball is more than just a sport - it is a cultural artifact, a part of our shared heritage.
At the same time, Ninth Inning is also a meditation on redemption, as the batter has the opportunity to turn the game around and become a hero. This theme resonates not just in the context of baseball but in our lives as a whole, as we all have the opportunity to overcome our failures and achieve greatness.
In conclusion, Ninth Inning is a beautifully crafted poem that captures the essence of baseball and its place in American culture. Its vivid imagery, powerful themes, and strong sense of rhythm and pacing make it a joy to read and reread, reminding us of the enduring appeal and significance of this beloved game.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Ninth Inning: A Masterpiece of Baseball and Poetry
David Lehman's "Poetry Ninth Inning" is a remarkable poem that captures the essence of baseball and poetry in a unique and powerful way. The poem is a celebration of the ninth inning, the final inning of a baseball game, and the art of poetry, which is often compared to a game of skill and strategy. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of "Poetry Ninth Inning" and how they contribute to the poem's overall meaning and impact.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the ninth inning, setting the stage for the action to come. Lehman writes, "The bases are loaded, the score is tied, / and the count is three and two." This opening line immediately creates a sense of tension and excitement, as the reader is drawn into the drama of the game. The use of the present tense also adds to the immediacy of the scene, as if the reader is watching the game unfold in real-time.
Lehman then shifts his focus to the art of poetry, comparing it to the game of baseball. He writes, "Poetry is a game of skill and strategy, / a contest of wits and wills." This comparison is not new, as many poets and writers have likened poetry to a game or sport. However, Lehman takes it a step further by using the language of baseball to describe the art of poetry. He writes, "The pitcher throws a curveball, / the poet a metaphor." This comparison is both clever and insightful, as it highlights the importance of technique and creativity in both baseball and poetry.
The poem then returns to the game, as the batter steps up to the plate. Lehman writes, "The batter digs in, adjusts his cap, / and stares down the pitcher." This line captures the intensity of the moment, as the batter prepares to face the pitcher's best pitch. The use of the verb "stares" also suggests a sense of defiance or determination on the part of the batter, as if he is ready to take on whatever the pitcher throws his way.
Lehman then shifts back to poetry, writing, "The poet scans the page, adjusts his line, / and stares down the blank white space." This line mirrors the previous one, as the poet prepares to face the blank page and create something new. The use of the verb "scans" suggests a careful and deliberate approach, while "adjusts his line" highlights the importance of craft and technique in poetry.
The poem then returns to the game, as the pitcher winds up and delivers the pitch. Lehman writes, "The pitch comes in, a fastball high, / and the batter swings for the fences." This line captures the excitement of the moment, as the batter takes a big swing in an attempt to hit a home run. The use of the phrase "swings for the fences" also suggests a sense of ambition or risk-taking on the part of the batter.
Lehman then returns to poetry, writing, "The poem takes shape, a stanza bold, / and the poet swings for the stars." This line mirrors the previous one, as the poet takes a big swing in an attempt to create something great. The use of the phrase "swings for the stars" suggests a sense of ambition or aspiration on the part of the poet.
The poem then reaches its climax, as the ball sails through the air and the crowd holds its breath. Lehman writes, "The ball sails high, deep to center field, / and the crowd holds its breath." This line captures the suspense of the moment, as the outcome of the game hangs in the balance. The use of the verb "holds" also suggests a sense of tension or anticipation on the part of the crowd.
Lehman then concludes the poem with a powerful image, writing, "The poem soars high, deep into the night, / and the reader holds his breath." This line mirrors the previous one, as the poem reaches its climax and the reader awaits the outcome. The use of the verb "soars" suggests a sense of triumph or success on the part of the poet, while "holds his breath" suggests a sense of awe or admiration on the part of the reader.
In conclusion, "Poetry Ninth Inning" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of baseball and poetry in a unique and powerful way. The poem's themes of skill, strategy, and ambition are reflected in both the game of baseball and the art of poetry, while its imagery and language create a vivid and exciting portrait of both. Whether you are a fan of baseball, poetry, or both, "Poetry Ninth Inning" is a must-read for anyone who loves the thrill of the game and the power of language.
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