74 (not out)

(written for a dear cricket-loving friend’s birthday)

III

the umpires pause

to check for bad light

whilst a decent innings

is still in full flight,

some chances put down

along the way, which

might’ve been taken on

any other day,

play on, is the rightful call

eyes now fixed on the ball

there’s still a few more runs

to find, before you leave this

worn-out crease behind,

so, keep your bat straight,

shoulders square, protect

your stumps with all due care

as you close in on the ton

remember my friend

there is no ‘follow-on’

III

Published by grahamrsherwood