Thump

The basketball hits asphalt

from somewhere I can't see—

thump thump thump, that same

rhythm from when I stood

at the fence. I can hear

exactly how much fun

they're having without me.

The bounce is so clear

I could count it. Pause.

Then laughter. Someone

yelling something. I'm

too far to hear the words.

Close enough to feel

the distance. I'm at my

window like I'm at that

fence again, watching

the orange ball come down

and down and down.