Resting From their Labors

One's age should be tranquil, as childhood should be playful. Hard work at either extremity of life seems out of place. At midday the sun may burn, and men labor under it; but the morning and evening should be alike calm and cheerful. --Thomas Arnold

Well, so much for that!

It is Labor Day.

The Tucson Old Timers

did not plan to play a game,

probably not so much

as a testament to the holiday

as an inability to multiply

9 X 2.

They came to the ball park, anyway,
dug out the pitching machine,
a bucket of balls,
a bat or two,
and an undying desire
to reach the major leagues someday.

That,
and something better,
not really said out loud,
about being happy
to see each other.

Bating practice:
"I'm still topping everything!"

Outfield practice:
"Maybe it is these glasses."

Infield practice:
"Good Lord, is it only 90 feet?"

It is a good way to get to know each other, without having to say so.

Finally everything has to get put away, again.

Tucson Old Timers. TOTs.

Next door, the young guys are honing the skills that, if they are lucky, will make it possible for them to become a TOT themselves, when they turn sixty.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me

when I'm sixty-four?

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