*Whispering* Hi, hi, welcome to the Dr. Seuss hot stove reading. No, no, it’s okay–Traffic was terrible? That’s such a shame, but don’t worry, these things happen. Yes, he’s already started, but go on in, just stand in the back– I’m sorry? Ahhh, no, no photos during the reading, but he’ll be sticking around later and you can talk to him then. Yes, just through here…
…and grind on for miles, across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…
…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a trade to go
or an offer to come, or a Wade to go
For Soto or Romo or Lo Cain to go
(to Milwaukee, for real?), or the Alex Cobb show
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for Lance Lynn‘s beard to grow.
Everyone is just …waiting.
Waiting for the Union to fight
or the next Jeter trade, to malign out of spite
or a barnstorming tour of free agents (they might!)
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
for the hot stove to boil, or a story to break
or a ball to hurl, or the crack of bats
or a kinder world, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That’s not for Yu!
Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying
you’ll find the sand lots
where prospects are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don’t
Because, sometimes they won’t.
I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.
And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right hand with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So…
be your name Carter, Cabrera or Krol
Siegrist, Suzuki, or Seung-hwan Oh
The winter is breaking
though it’s still very cold
We’re all patiently waiting
To see the Places You’ll Go.
*polite clapping*
Judith Goldthorp says
Love it!
James Seals says
Perfect.
Kevin Turner says
I wish I was capable of doing what you just did.
DalanaB says
Nobody tell Levi Weaver that I would have paid twice the subscription amount just to read his stuff. Uhh, I hope he doesn’t actually read these comments… ????
Levi Weaver says
No worries, he has assigned all comment-reading to a sentient robot, who is me. Your secret is safe.
TRangerInNY says
Levi is the master!
tmw80 says
Read that book to my young kiddos a few times a week. Bravo.
Robert Tiffin says
I would subscribe to a pile of old bricks if I were promised accompanying content like this. My apologies for the impolite hootin’ and hollerin’.
Michael Luna says
I’m very interested in this old brick pile subscription service as well.
Levi Weaver says
Fellas, have I got news for you: for an extra $3/month, I will send you each a photo of old bricks