I’ll be signing books too!

Big Hugs,

Frank M.

http://today.ucf.edu/mets-poet-to-perform-poetry-reading-in-ucfs-library/

It’s been great working on my new baseball book here in the Sunshine State, and doing readings, book signings…and of course seeing the Mets play all spring long! Soon, its back to the big city for more gigs, games and the long awaited Boardwalk Empire appearance. I have to shave my goatee for that one.

I have found

the perfect companion

to watch Mets games with:

-a meat grinder-

At the start of each game

I place the grinder next to my chair

crack a beer, recline and let the fun begin

First I place my fingers

into the chute and dangle them

over the spinning blades

With each passing inning

my fingers move deeper into the machine

until I feel the pressure of the blades

against my fingertips

At first, I ignore the pain

it’s just a few lacerations, that’s all

and besides, we’re leading

by a score of “three-zip” in the eighth

but, then a pitching change

and it’s Aaron Heilman

I start to get a sick feeling

My fingers become lodged

beyond return, then my forearm

I lean forward in the chair

shaking left to right

hoping to free myself from the

stainless steel beast now dangling

from the side of my body

Heilman walks

leadoff man in four pitches

and I start sinking

deeper into the machine

I push back from the chair

lifting right leg over head

then down against the meat grinder

trying to force loose

but

my foot slips into the chute

then calf, knee and thigh

With one leg left, I furiously

kick at the meat grinder

yet it too becomes lodged and devoured

Now, head and torso

sticking out of the chute;

the other half of me being

pressed out of the grinder plates

-I begin to panic-

Then it happens:

Heilman gives up another walk

a base hit, then a home run

-another blown game-

Down I go,

forced through the bowels

of a meat grinder,

pressed through chute and blades,

and onto the floor

in a glorious, warm and bleeding

pile of fan bits

copyright 2008 Frank Messina

 National Poetry Month / National Past Time

March 23, “Amazin’ Tuesday” at Two Boots Tavern Frank reads from Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry. Greg Prince, famous blogster and author of Faith and Fear in Flushing. Edward Hoyt, a major contributor to the must-have 1969 tribute volume, The Miracle Has Landed. Bring a Mets baseball card, get a free beer.  Two Boots Tavern, 384 Grand St., between Norfolk and Suffolk. F to Delancey; the J, M or Z to Essex; or the B or D to Grand. Phone: 212-228-8685. 7PM

July 14, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Frank gives the first ever poetry reading and booksigning in the famed venue’s 125-year history! This happens on All-Star Game day in the Pee Wee Reese Gallery at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, 4:00PM, Free and open to the public! 800 West Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 1-877-7-SLUGGER (877-775-8443)

July 16, Mets Viewing Party at Foley’s Pub, NYC, Join us at America’s most famous baseball bar as Frank Messina signs copies of Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry from 6-7pm. Then, cheer on the Mets as they battle the Braves in Atlanta. Live on the flatscreens. Foley’s Pub, 18 W. 33rd (bet 5th and 6th Aves) Directly across from the Empire State Building.

from Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry

He staggers to position,

kneecap pried, crowbar

He limps to first base bag,

ankle rolled, sprained

He shudders from batter’s box,

up and in, bell rung

He collects, breathes, stands

returns and settles in

by Frank Messina