This is one of my favorite poems, by Richard M. “Pek” Gunn, the Poet Laureate of Tennessee (1904-1995).
The Optimist
Richard M. “Pek” Gunn
I passed a sand lot yesterday,
Some kids were playing ball,
I strolled along the third baseline,
Within the fielder’s call.
“Say, What’s the score?” I asked the chap,
He yelled to beat the stuffin’
“There’s no one out, the bases full,
And they’re Forty-Two to Nuthin’!”
You’re gettin’ beat, aren’t you my lad?”
And then in no time flat,
He answered: “No Sir, not as yet!
Our side ain’t been to bat!”