here's one for nightspore

[jones_casey]

Pinch Hitter

When the slugger gets beaned, and the home crowd's dispirited away,
All hung in the balance by thread;
Up steps the pinch hitter, asked only to give his all come what may.

Tomorrow is nowhen, they live for today,
Throat-hearted, cloud-shrouded with dread;
When the slugger gets beaned, and the home crowd's dispirited away.

Wearing all eyes which can bear to look his way,
His own resolutely ahead;
Up steps the pinch hitter, asked only to give his all come what may.

Predetermined yet uncertain to carry the day
He carries their hopes in his stead;
When the slugger gets beaned, and the home crowd's dispirited away.

Unsteady but ready to enter the fray,
Unafraid, unfazed, undauntèd;
Up steps the pinch hitter, asked only to give his all come what may.

With one noble stroke a whole life aglow may
or may not pluck rue from this bed.
When the slugger gets beaned, and the home crowd's dispirited away,
Up steps the pinch hitter, asked only to give his all come what may.