HOOPS, HOORAY, I WISH

 The boy was working away like crazy
 Washing windows and making them sparkle
 He was “the man” and when you
 told him they looked nice
 his face, too, would shine
  
 He looked through those clean windows
 and saw others playing basketball
 in the gym and must have thought
 that it should have been him, so
  
 He stopped working; 
 walked in through the doors
 stepped down onto the floor
 He thought he was fancy
 the way he handled the ball
 He shot and made a lot, 
 but he didn’t make them all
  
 I told him he’d better come out and finish his job
 but he said no, it didn’t matter at all
 I told him it did matter and told him why
 He paid no attention, just a smile in his eye
  
 I finished his work, he played the play
 In the end to him, it was just another day
 I felt a little failure that 
 I couldn’t make him see the way
 I had a chance and gave it a go
 It’s up to him if he’s a show or no show
  
 The stain comes out in the wash
 He came in with a rush, feeling flush
 What will he do when he’s out of money?
 Bow his head, walk away, nothing is funny
 Wonder if he’ll look for me?
  
 Stanski
 November 27, 2019 ^
 An incident at the Baxter Community Center Clean Up Day