youthful energy loose on sandy beach

focused and released with ball in hand

tapped, punched, hurled, batted, flung

against a wall, toward a teammate

at a friend-now-competitor-enemy

arced, curved, straight at, or near miss

requiring diving catch for points

for laughter, bonding and high spirits

a simple sphere gives life and purpose

and, at times, translates into respect

and joy in this globe of Earth

which gives and sustains our lives