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           Ode to the Tournament Draw
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The tournament draw is a checker-board of nights and days,
Where the Fastball God, with men as pieces plays,
Hither and thither, grounds out, flies out, hits, walks or Ks.
And one by one, right back in the beer garden lays.
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The official scorer writes and having writ, moves away.
Nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure him back to change one at bat,
Nor all thy tears wash away a single play.
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With apologies to comrade Omar Khayyam,
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A happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year.
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 "Jim Johnson" <jimjohn@shaw.ca>