by Sihyun, 13
San Ramon, California

 

Surrounded, pushed along,
the player dribbles the ball,

taps lightly with strength
playing the ball as he would a piano

and sprints between the guards,
with one kick the ball flies,

falls a little to the left,
a flat note picked up

by the forward who jumps
for a header,

shoots for the goal,
ball flying over the players’ heads,

tension crescendoes,
the orchestra pauses

as the goalie leaps up,
arms stretched out,

a breath too early,
the ball arrives a second later,

bounces, staccato, into the corner
finally finishing its flight.
 

Written in response to "Fast Break" by Edward Hirsch