Something New

Something New

Rubber treepot

Sawed out bottom

Screwed onto a bedframe 2 x 4

Hammered into clay

On a driveway slope.

Makeshift court

No backboard

You have to swish it in.

Sinking it is nearly impossible.

Still, to receive an invitation to a game,

Is not something I will pass up.

Dribbling brings back momentum,

Lightness,

Diffusing fuzz 

In the head.

However, a Gumby Tower pounds my jumpshot!

Every single attempt!

I’ve learned I have to hook it over his head,

Or- fake right, scoop shoot left.

DOES NOT WORK - most of the time.

But, he decided to give me a handicap:

If I even hit the rim, I get a point!

2 points if I swish it in.

We play - and it does even up!

We go to 21-about 2 points difference throughout.

Shaking off bits of the day’s drudgery.

Bounces and throws,

Dodges and checks,

Chit Chatter.

How did I skirt around his lanky arms and trunk,

To swipe the rim?

To make it to 19, him at 18.

Another check-in,

A smooth slipaway.

Swish it goes in,

21!

Hah! I still got it!

Keeping an eye on the ball.

Another game,

Another day.