Father's Day - June 18 2023

 

Father's Day

June 18 2023



The smooth path of the ball,

rising as it falls

in a gracefull arc

as precise as geometry.

A practised step back,

extending the glove

with thoughtless ease.

And the comforting thwack

of a tightly wrapped ball

on supple leather,

the hard ball

cradled snugly

in the bulging sweet spot.

A perfect pocket,

broken-in

with loving care.

A game of catch,

a well-scuffed ball

tossed back-and-forth.

There's an easy rhythm to this

and no need to talk;

the body angling

arm unspooling

certain follow-through,

a flick of the wrist

on the nose.

They move apart a bit

as the game goes on;

longer throws

some friendly taunts.

Or how it's supposed to be

between father and son.

A backyard

of verdant grass

with that freshly-cut smell.

The old man,

a little out of practice

but accurate nevertheless;

after so many years

his muscle memory

has a mind of its own.

And the boy, eager but unschooled

concentrates hard

while yearning for praise.

But instead

is volleying the ball

against the garage door.

Overhanded hard

the tightly-stitched ball

rattles the aluminum,

a loud bang

each time it strikes;

a racket

that resonates up and down

the quiet street.

It feels good, he thinks

to make some noise.

And the harder he throws

the louder the sound.