I got into half-trance
Ego half buried
I wasn't fully there
fully playing
A ball was hit
in my direction
Sleepy me
instinctless
Ran the wrong way
It popped out
of a hand
that wasn't there
under legs that
wouldn't run
with a heart pounding
with defeat
with a disobedient arm
that threw
to the wrong base
overhead and wild
While Sam
nigger Sam
spring
and relaxed
nigger Sam flowing
like a cool unheated motor
all limbered up was
an octopus
when it came
to catching wild balls
Shook his head at me