Shadow Game

by David Thompson

Images blur as

The white spinning ball

Makes its high arc

In space.

An instant earlier

A loud crack

Set the path.

Bat met ball.

Up and up to a

Stand still, then—

Down and down.

An instant after,

A scolding hiss

And ragged hole.

Ball met glass.

On the lawn below

A lonely bat

Lies accused

In the grass.