Jackie Robinson and Me

I was writing a poem as evening dawned,

keys clacking away as I wrote about Jackie

Robinson. I was writing a poem for a contest

to win two tickets to a Pirate’s baseball game.

As I wrote, I kept thinking about Jackie Ro

binson. He was gone, but he wasn’t. His legacy

would always exist. For every man can play

Major League Baseball today. Black or White.

I reflected on the blessings I had.

The gifts Jackie Robinson was struggling for.

The rights that Jackie dreamed of.

And I saw him.

A young man with goals dedicated to his people.

A young man fighting for the basic right

to stand side by side with his fellow man,

black or white. To be equal. To be united.

I wonder if he ever really felt that he

brought equality to baseball. I believe

he did. He had allowed every man the ability

to stand on the diamond and prove himself.  

It made me wonder what difference I will make

in this world. Will I make an equal contri-

bution to this world, perhaps in a different manner?

Or be dedicated to and work for the people?

I still ponder these thoughts today and hope to in the future. I want to know and remember that people have made selfless contributions to better people’s lives. And so must I

Slowly but surely the clock ticked and

moved forward, an analogy to how life

should be lived. Patiently and full of

hardwork to make a positive impact on the world.

Jackie Robinson showed what it means to live.

Suddenly, the crowd became wild. Andrew

McCutchen was batting next and coming

to the diamond.

Today, a baseball player is judged by his

skill, not his color. After McCutchen took

first base, the crowd started chanting,

“Lets Go Bucks! Lets Go Bucks! Lets Go Bucks!...”