watching my son put on his socks

When you fell in love with baseball
I didn't say anything
the connection left me speechless.

I glanced over my shoulder
and saw Papa out of the corner of my eye
and then his papa behind him.

I know you didn't
notice them
until you asked me who my favorite was
and I said Jim Rice

"Is he in the hall of fame?"

I shook my head.

"Who was the best Red Sock EVER?"
you asked me.

"Babe Ruth, and then Ted Williams."

"Dad, Babe Ruth was a YANKEE!"

"yes, but he was a Red Sock first."

Papa smiled and for a second
I think his grave was filled with the sounds
of the crowd cheering
and the warmth of sunny days in the bleachers

I almost missed it, because
in your eyes, I was seeing my grandson
cheering at Fenway.