Pacific Sunset

A basketball sunset dribbles into the night,
Rhythm of sky banter
Slam dunks the seagulls,
Cheering.

All is cool on center court,
Lights out on the central circle pier.

The boy, shoulders and head as tall as heroes
Thinks he'll take that shot.

Waiting, he's been waiting for the sundeath
Since just 2 o'clock this afternoon.

Since just after lunch today,
When driveby buddies jeered.

He took the gun from teamboy's hand.
He took the lead in breaking afternoon.

He took the shot, right at the buzzer,
Screaming children fell from houses.

One small voice, a lost voice
Quiet as it lay on kitchen floor.  

Waiting, since, been waiting
For the second half of play.  

The boy, arms and legs as thin as heroes
On the ground in this game,

Takes aim at the pylons
On the bottom of the sea.  

Scuffs his sneakers on the concrete,
Drops the gun to see how far

Climbs the barbed wire fence,
An athlete who's retiring on a roll. 

In the morning,
Crowd will fight itself for memories of
His body on the rock.