Catchers

The men in the boats

Are Catchers

You can’t call them that

But that’s what they are

They go out in the boats

And they say, ‘I’m coming back’

And they don’t come back

But you can’t tell

You can’t tell they’re not coming back

When you stand on the docks

Waving good-bye to them

If you act like they’re not coming back

Then they won’t come back

But they’re not coming back anyway

But you can’t say that

You really can’t say much of anything

You can wave

And you can cry

You cry a lot

It’s what you’re supposed to do

I’d hold my mother’s hand

And look at the line of women

Waving to their boyfriends

And in my mind

I’d call them The Crying Women

And I’d think they were so beautiful

They were beautiful

But they were beautiful the way women are

When you’re a kid

And they’re older

And you think you’re always going to be a kid

But you don’t know that’s what you’re thinking

Then you grow up
And what do you know?

You’re a catcher

One night your mom is sitting on the couch
And she asks where you’re going

You say ‘Out’
And you’re not lying

Because you’re going out

But what you don’t say is—

‘I’m never coming back’

You’re not even on the dock

You’re not even sailing away

You’re not even watching your girl

Or your mom say good-bye to you

You don’t even give ‘em that

Because you don’t want to admit what you are

You don’t want to say

That you’re one of those guys

Who lets the screen door shut

And the cool air out

And doesn’t even look back

To make sure his mom

Doesn’t fall asleep

With a lit cigarette

Still in her hand

You don’t want to say a lot of things

And if you don’t say them

They’re not true

Even if they are

And if you don’t believe them

Then it’s like you’re not an catcher

You’re just a guy

Who can’t help feeling

Like he’s got something better waiting for him

On the other side

Of his life

You’re just a guy

Who wants to get away for awhile

You’re just a guy

Who doesn’t need to say good-bye

Because he’s not going to be gone

That long

You’re not an catcher

You’re coming back

And nobody asks you

When