'Ninth Inning' by David Lehman


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He woke up in New York City on Valentine's Day,
Speeding. The body in the booth next to his was still warm,
Was gone. He had bought her a sweater, a box of chocolate
Said her life wasn't working he looked stricken she said
You're all bent out of shape, accusingly, and when he
She went from being an Ivy League professor of French
To an illustrator for a slick midtown magazine
They agreed it was his fault. But for now they needed
To sharpen to a point like a pencil the way
The Empire State Building does. What I really want to say
To you, my love, is a whisper on the rooftop lost in the wind
And you turn to me with your rally cap on backwards rooting
For a big inning, the bases loaded, our best slugger up
And no one out, but it doesn't work that way. Like the time
Kirk Gibson hit the homer off Dennis Eckersley to win the game:
It doesn't happen like that in fiction. In fiction, we are
On a train, listening to a storyteller about to reach the climax
Of his tale as the train pulls into Minsk, his stop. That's
My stop, he says, stepping off the train, confounding us who
Can't get off it. "You can't leave without telling us the end,"
We say, but he is already on the platform, grinning.
"End?" he says. "It was only the beginning."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ninth Inning: A Masterpiece of Poetic Craftsmanship

David Lehman's "Ninth Inning" is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship that captures the essence of baseball as a metaphor for the human experience. From its vivid imagery to its rhythmic structure, this poem illuminates the beauty and complexity of life through the lens of a timeless American pastime. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the intricacies of Lehman's work, exploring its themes, symbols, and stylistic devices to uncover the deeper meanings hidden within its lines.

Overview

First published in "The Paris Review" in 2006, "Ninth Inning" is a poem that pays tribute to the game of baseball while also exploring its deeper implications. The poem is divided into nine stanzas, each corresponding to an inning of a baseball game. It begins with a description of the pitcher warming up, and ends with the ball disappearing into the mitt of the catcher, signaling the end of the game. Along the way, Lehman takes us on a journey through the highs and lows of the game, weaving in themes of mortality, time, and the human condition.

Themes

At its core, "Ninth Inning" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The poem's opening lines set the stage for this theme, as Lehman describes the pitcher "throwing his fast ones, expending / himself with each pitch, sweating through / his shirt as the sun goes down." The language here is imbued with a sense of urgency and effort, as if the pitcher is racing against time itself. This theme is echoed throughout the poem, as we see the players struggling to make the most of their limited time on the field, knowing that the game could end at any moment.

Another key theme in "Ninth Inning" is the idea of the game as a metaphor for the human experience. Through its emphasis on strategy, skill, and teamwork, baseball is often seen as a microcosm of life itself. Lehman plays with this idea throughout the poem, using the game as a lens through which to examine the larger questions of existence. For example, in the fourth stanza, he writes: "How strange it is, this game we play, / where a man with a stick tries to hit a ball / hurled at him with astonishing speed, / and how much stranger still that we care / so much about it." Here, Lehman is pointing to the absurdity of life, and the way in which we often invest so much meaning and significance in things that ultimately have no inherent value.

Finally, "Ninth Inning" also touches on the theme of legacy, and the idea of leaving a mark on the world before we depart. This theme is most evident in the eighth stanza, where Lehman writes: "And so we come to the end, / the last inning, the last chance / to make our mark, to prove / that we were here, that we mattered." These lines are a poignant reminder that, in the end, all we have are the memories we leave behind, and the impact we make on those around us.

Symbols

Throughout the poem, Lehman employs a number of symbols to deepen its meaning and create a sense of resonance. One of the most prominent of these is the baseball itself, which serves as a metaphor for the human soul. In the seventh stanza, Lehman writes: "The ball curves, / rises, drops, and we follow it / with our eyes as if it were the soul itself." This image is a powerful one, evoking the way in which we often look to external objects to represent our innermost selves.

Another important symbol in the poem is the pitcher, who represents the human will and its struggle against the forces of fate. In the first stanza, Lehman describes the pitcher as "expending / himself with each pitch," highlighting the way in which we pour our energy and effort into our pursuits, even knowing that they are ultimately futile. The pitcher is also associated with mortality, as we see in the fifth stanza, where he is described as "growing tired, / his arm weary, his resolve / weakening with each passing inning."

Finally, the game itself can be seen as a symbol for life, with its ebbs and flows, its triumphs and defeats, and its ultimate conclusion. As Lehman writes in the final stanza: "The catcher holds the ball and the game / is over, and we know that it is only / a game, yet we feel in our bones / that it is much more than that." Here, he is emphasizing the way in which even the most trivial things can take on profound significance in the context of our lives.

Stylistic Devices

Lehman's use of language is one of the most striking aspects of "Ninth Inning," and his skillful manipulation of poetic devices adds depth and texture to the poem. One of the most notable of these is his use of repetition, which creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that echoes the pace of the game itself. For example, in the opening stanza, he writes: "The pitcher throws his fast ones, expending / himself with each pitch, sweating through / his shirt as the sun goes down." The repetition of "pitch" and "sweating" here creates a sense of urgency and intensity that mirrors the pitcher's exertion on the mound.

Another stylistic device that Lehman employs is imagery, which he uses to evoke the sights, sounds, and sensations of the game. In the third stanza, for example, he writes: "The crack of the bat, the thump of the ball / against the catcher's mitt, the roar / of the crowd as a runner slides / into home." Here, he is painting a vivid picture of the action on the field, using sensory details to transport the reader into the world of the game.

Finally, Lehman's use of metaphor and simile is masterful, as he employs these devices to create connections between seemingly disparate things. For example, in the sixth stanza, he writes: "The outfielders drift back like aging / actors playing their roles to perfection, / while in the stands we cling to each other / as if we were each other's last hope." Here, he is drawing a parallel between the players on the field and the spectators in the stands, suggesting that we are all actors in the drama of life, playing our parts as best we can.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Ninth Inning" is a tour-de-force of poetic artistry, a work that captures the essence of baseball while also exploring the deeper questions of existence. Through its themes of mortality, the human condition, and legacy, its use of symbols and stylistic devices, Lehman creates a rich and complex tapestry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be alive. This poem is a testament to the power of language, and a reminder that even the most mundane things can be transformed into works of profound beauty and meaning in the hands of a master poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ninth Inning: A Poem That Captures the Essence of Baseball

Baseball is more than just a sport. It is a way of life, a symbol of American culture, and a source of inspiration for many. David Lehman's poem "Ninth Inning" captures the essence of baseball in a way that is both nostalgic and timeless. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand why it has become a classic in American literature.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "It's the bottom of the ninth." This line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The bottom of the ninth inning is the most intense moment in a baseball game. It is the moment when everything is on the line, and the outcome of the game is decided. Lehman uses this moment to create a sense of urgency and tension that permeates the entire poem.

The first stanza of the poem describes the scene of the game. Lehman paints a vivid picture of the stadium, the players, and the fans. He describes the "green grass" and the "white chalk lines" that define the field. He also mentions the "crowd on its feet," which creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The language in this stanza is simple and straightforward, but it is also evocative and powerful. Lehman's use of imagery and sensory details helps the reader to feel as if they are actually at the game.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the pitcher. Lehman describes the pitcher's "windup" and "delivery," which are the two most important aspects of pitching. He also mentions the "fastball" and the "curve," which are two of the most common pitches in baseball. The language in this stanza is more technical than in the first stanza, but it is still accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the sport. Lehman's use of baseball terminology helps to create a sense of authenticity and credibility.

The third stanza of the poem focuses on the batter. Lehman describes the batter's "stance" and "swing," which are the two most important aspects of hitting. He also mentions the "crack of the bat," which is one of the most satisfying sounds in baseball. The language in this stanza is more poetic than in the previous stanzas. Lehman uses alliteration and onomatopoeia to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repetition of the "s" sound in "stance" and "swing" creates a sense of fluidity and motion.

The fourth stanza of the poem describes the action on the field. Lehman mentions the "ball in flight" and the "fielder in motion," which are two of the most exciting moments in baseball. He also mentions the "dive" and the "catch," which are two of the most impressive defensive plays in the game. The language in this stanza is more dramatic than in the previous stanzas. Lehman uses short, declarative sentences to create a sense of urgency and excitement.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem describes the outcome of the game. Lehman mentions the "win or lose" scenario that defines every baseball game. He also mentions the "hero" and the "goat," which are two of the most common roles that players can assume. The language in this stanza is more reflective than in the previous stanzas. Lehman uses the past tense to describe the game, which creates a sense of nostalgia and longing.

Overall, "Ninth Inning" is a poem that captures the essence of baseball in a way that is both accessible and poetic. Lehman's use of imagery, sensory details, and baseball terminology helps to create a sense of authenticity and credibility. His use of rhythm, musicality, and drama helps to create a sense of excitement and tension. And his use of reflection and nostalgia helps to create a sense of longing and nostalgia. This poem is a classic in American literature because it speaks to the universal themes of competition, perseverance, and the human spirit.

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