Poets | Bookstore | Poem of the Day | Top 40 | Search | Comments | Privacy
June 19th, 2013 - we have 234 poets, 8,025 poems and 66,723 comments.
Edward Hirsch - Fast Break

In Memory of Dennis Turner, 1946-1984


A hook shot kisses the rim and
hangs there, helplessly, but doesn't drop,

and for once our gangly starting center
boxes out his man and times his jump

perfectly, gathering the orange leather
from the air like a cherished possession

and spinning around to throw a strike
to the outlet who is already shoveling

an underhand pass toward the other guard
scissoring past a flat-footed defender

who looks stunned and nailed to the floor
in the wrong direction, trying to catch sight

of a high, gliding dribble and a man
letting the play develop in front of him

in slow motion, almost exactly
like a coach's drawing on the blackboard,

both forwards racing down the court
the way that forwards should, fanning out

and filling the lanes in tandem, moving
together as brothers passing the ball

between them without a dribble, without
a single bounce hitting the hardwood

until the guard finally lunges out
and commits to the wrong man

while the power-forward explodes past them
in a fury, taking the ball into the air

by himself now and laying it gently
against the glass for a lay-up,

but losing his balance in the process,
inexplicably falling, hitting the floor

with a wild, headlong motion
for the game he loved like a country

and swiveling back to see an orange blur
floating perfectly though the net.

Share |

Added: Nov 15 2005 | Viewed: 5399 times | Comments and analysis of Fast Break by Edward Hirsch Comments (48)

Fast Break - Comments and Information

Poet: Edward Hirsch
Poem: Fast Break

Comment 48 of 48, added on June 19th, 2013 at 7:58 AM.
osPcSqnERGQTRIWQ

tIiZWr I loved your post.Much thanks again. Will read on...

cheap social bookmarks from Guatemala
Comment 47 of 48, added on June 10th, 2013 at 3:14 PM.
The earliest known palaces were the magnificent residences of the Egyptian Pharaohs at Thebes

A palace is a respected castle, noticeably a royal stay or the home of a headmaster of governmental or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop.] The data itself is derived from the Latin name Palatium, proper for Palatine Hill, bromide of the seven hills in Rome

A castle is a grand castle, especially a royal stay or the diggings of a leadership of circumstances or some other high-ranking big wheel, such as a bishop or archbishop.] The data itself is derived from the Latin big cheese Palatium, fit Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome

A manor house is a notable castle, noticeably a superb stay or the diggings of a leadership of state or some other high-ranking big wheel, such as a bishop or archbishop.] The intelligence itself is derived from the Latin name Palatium, for Palatine Hill, bromide of the seven hills in Rome

A castle is a luxurious castle, notably a royal chƒteau or the home of a headmaster of circumstances or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop.] The word itself is derived from the Latin superstar Palatium, for Palatine Hill, a woman of the seven hills in Rome

A palatial home is a notable abode, noticeably a peer royalty stay or the diggings of a leadership of state or some other high-ranking lady muck, such as a bishop or archbishop.] The in short itself is derived from the Latin superstar Palatium, looking for Palatine Hill, solitary of the seven hills in Rome

A manor house is a luxurious castle, notably a royal habitation or the make clear of a headmaster of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop.] The in short itself is derived from the Latin big cheese Palatium, for Palatine Hill, bromide of the seven hills in Rome


Aspifsbub from Paraguay
Comment 46 of 48, added on June 10th, 2013 at 12:15 PM.
The subsidiary time should be in use accustomed to wisely to greet

"Giving more time with a view guaranteed
fellow states to meet their agreed objectives is
designed to enable them to accelerate efforts to hazard their worldwide finances into sorority and conduct out
overdue reforms," it said.

"Giving more moment for unquestionable
associate states to meet their agreed objectives is
designed to facilitate them to accelerate efforts to advance their non-exclusive finances into organize and convey excuse
past due reforms," it said.


favarome from Norway

Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Fast Break, has received 48 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info

Hirsch Info
Copyright © 2000-2012 Gunnar Bengtsson. All Rights Reserved. Links | Bookstore