The Crossover

At practice

Coach says we need to work

on our mental game.

If we think

we can beat Independence Junior High—

the defending champions,

the number one seed,

the only other undefeated team—

then we will.

But instead of drills

and sprints,

we sit on our butts,

make weird sounds—

Ohmmmmmmmm Ohmmmmmmmm—

and meditate.

Suddenly I get this vision

of JB in a hospital.

I quickly open my eyes,

turn around,

and see him looking dead

at me like he’s just seen

a ghost.