Out at Third
We’d been good friends until I kept saying, “Yes!”
And she, who felt uneasy, kept saying, “No!”
My heart was beating hot, I must confess,
When she said, “Stop,” and my green light said, “Go.”
At times we’d been to First and Second base
But even there she felt we’d gone too far.
And though I knew I should give up the chase,
Third base and Home were still on my radar.
I pressed her one more time, she turned away.
Our friendship never was the same again.
And ever since that night I’ve rued the day
I played a rooster, thinking her a hen.
The years have passed. With age I’ve come to know
How lucky we both were when she said, “No.”
James A. Tweedie is a retired pastor living in Long Beach, Washington. He has written and published six novels, one collection of short stories, and four collections of poetry including Sidekicks, Mostly Sonnets, and Laughing Matters, all with Dunecrest Press. His poems have been published nationally and internationally in both print and online media. He was honored with being chosen as the winner of the 2021 SCP International Poetry Competition.
A very cleverly wrought tale with a much better outcome than “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” (at least in the long term).
It’s a tricky one when the hormones are raging. You’ve captured this adolescent dilemma well, especially with the narrator’s reflection which has the benefit of time and hindsight.
Thanks for the read, James.
I really like the way you’ve carried the baseball metaphor through. And I love the ending!
James, my problem was she said, “Yes.”
But was it your heart beating hot, James, or just the heart? And were you playing at being a rooster or were you really imitating one? Women are generally wiser than men, except on those occasions when they are more foolish; and I really like this poem – a beautiful Shakespearean sonnet!
The average girl, if she deigns to talk to you, will allow you to make first base. A few more daring types will allow you to get to second.
Getting to third and home plate usually demands a heavy hitter and an agile runner.
I just think it’s great that we all know what James is talking about! It’s foundational to American culture past a certain age and that makes me happy! Thank you, James.
I just think it’s great that we all know what James is referring to! I am glad that this metaphor is still foundational in America — it makes me happy in this land of apps and AI.
Here Tweedie has all the bases covered, and he always hits more home runs than ground balls. As St. Paul wrote, it is better to marry than to burn, and James, as usual, has turned a triple play.
A wry and perceptive piece. The old dilemma: dare you risk ruining a great friendship for the sake of lust? In my own life, I’ve usually played it safe, not chancing my arm in such matters, and I think with hindsight I did right. Your sonnet confirmed this.
Here in England, we don’t have baseball. I guess football supplies our equivalent term; if a guy makes it all the way, he says he has scored. (Or rather, he doesn’t say, if he is polite, because a gentleman never tells!)
Thanks for this fun sonnet James. As long as ‘yes’ and ‘no’ are acknowledged and accepted, then all will be well and the ‘game’ will have been ‘fun’!!