Poetry Festival will be held:

Saturday, April 27, 2024

2019 Winner

Elegy to Roy Halladay

In memory of Roy Halladay (1977-2017), Philadelphia Phillies pitcher from 2010-2013.

Atop the 11-inch raised mound,

the 6-foot-6, 225 pound

beast digs in. Metal cleats

rip through the fine dirt

like children opening

presents on Christmas Day.

 

Righty-righty matchup.

The crowd relentlessly cheers

for their stud.

The 93-mph pitch hurled

at Ruiz who awaits the sting in his mighty leather,

but never caught the ball.

 

Bat on ball.

Dead silence.

Quiet enough to hear

the deep breath of hustle.

108 stitches fly toward first base,

just in time.

 

The umpire signals:

out!

No-hitter.

Philadelphia explodes into

a sea of red and white pinstripes.

 

A rare occurrence—
Roy smiles.

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Peter Ierardi

Gonzaga College HS

Grade: 12

Hometown:

Arlington, VA

Birthplace:

Newport, RI

Favorite Author or Book:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Dream for the Future:

To be happy

Inspirational Figure:

My father