Five Seven Five Sports: 2012 in Haiku - Language of the Games

Sports attorney, author, poet and former Princeton University first baseman Andrew Hanson has authored a new book titled "Five Seven Five Sports : 2012 in Haiku - Language of the Games".  It's a remarkable read, with a collection of Hanson's haiku poetry chronicling sports during 2012.  Here are a few of my favorite poems from it:

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January 30, 2012 

Cross-court pick, seal, roll,

So fundamentally sound,

Leading to lift-off:

The winged monster,

Half Blake Griffin, half griffin,

Soars like an eagle,

Meets Kendrick Perkins,

Toughest member of Thunder,

Arms and elbow up,

Blasts uncoachable,

Heavenly throw-down dunk from

Top of backboard square,

Sends Staples Center

Into murmurous frenzy,

Adds and-1 free throw.  

April 20, 2012 

Fenway Park's birthday:

Pure music to Boston's eyes - 

Rice to Yastrzemski;

Legends fill the field,

Catch first pitches, lead the toast,

And proclaim, "Play Ball!" - 

Red Sox and Yankees - 

100 years to the hour

Of Fenway's first day...

Big Papi measures

Sports' most famous barrier,

High above left field;

Thirty-seven feet

No match for his home run swat,

First ruled a double;

After players pause

Ump's spinning hand frees Ortiz,

And his trot resumes...

Green Monster absorbs 

Repko's catch and collision,

Passes test of time.

June 23, 2012 

Ten women playing - 

Professionals before fans - 

"IX" uniforms;

40 years later,

Title IX's daughters compete;

Lynx outscore the Sky.

July 2, 2012 

Baseball "Horse" contest - 

Degree of difficulty:

The Pittsburgh foul pole;

Jones yanks one down line,

Practically splitting target,

Hitting the high bar;

Next shot - higher arc;

Walker avoids a letter,

Tallies an "HR".

November 10, 2012 

Jarred by lineman's hip,

The ball and play float, at risk -

Johnny on the spot;

Manziel transitions,

His gaze returned to end zone,

Ball back in his hands;

Johnny Football-Swope,

A&M-arrival play -

Easy pitch and catch...

Slicing 'Bama's route,

Everett's wise 4th-quarter pick -

Go-ahead bid fails...

Set to receive punt,

'Bama enters neutral zone - 

Unbeaten no more.

 * * *

I strongly recommend picking up Five Seven Five Sports.  Makes a great gift, too.