The slap on the glass echoes,
Boom, boom, boom.
Ten bodies sweating,
The shot goes up,
Wild, chaotic cheering as it passes through the net.
A single body hits the floor.
Crack, crunch.
Bodies are shaking now, shoulders slouching.
The simultaneous gasp of the crowd,
Silence follows.
He’s down,
A cry, not loud,
Rocks the gym.
Everyone stares with hopes fading,
At the injured player sprawled on the floor.
“Timeout!” the coach shouts.
The players carry him, unable to walk,
In so much pain, he cannot communicate, he cannot talk.
The player’s blood is brushed from the court.
The season’s hopes are crushed.