various verses   by james phoenix

the sunny side of the ball

like a new moon setting in the west,

like the hopes of a generation

to be more than the best,

like a W in the column,

like a slide under a tag

and the fresh air, blue sky

and the one moment when the mind

stands still and the body reacts,

the ball slaps, the hand closes

and the nines have come full round,

like a raw, red knee,

i am alive today.

 

1989