life lessons on basketball courts
too many cigarettes and uppers
too many low down booze nights
and, now,
hunched over pangs to love wars

i stand on top of the key and tell myself
'make this shot and
she's yours--'

over and over again,
then i run
desperately
to get that fucking ball
and put it through
the goddamn hoop
before God realizes
the outcome
of my
endearing ultimatum

cough pant breath shot
clank run grab

repeat

until the damn thing
goes in