Big Thom Poem by Kent Werges

In 1913, he was offered a chance
to play for the Cleveland Indians.
His wife said no -
he kept on driving truck.

He decided to raise his family
in the country and he bought
a farm. Soon a fire said "no "
and he went back to the truck.

Another farm came available
and he thought he'd try it
one more time. Another fire
said "no." Hello, truck.

A third farm with chickens
and gardens and his wife
took ill and died. This time he took a job
at the paper mill.

He lived alone and worked
alone and found
comfort in boilermakers-
a beer and a shot became his friends.

A life of losing seasons,
age, and alcohol.
The ninth inning ended
with a strike out.