My Life as the Game Ball

The ref lobs me in the air

as the game begins.

I am slammed

     against the hard floor

and hurled

     through the air.

I’m tossed

       fumbled

       pushed down court.

I  roll away

     as they chase after me.

Frightened,

I roll faster

and further. 

All of the sudden I am

     pounced on

and embraced tightly.

A whistle sounds

and I am released.

I race

     down

         court

guided by fingertips.

I

  bank

     off

       the glass

            And

            slide

            through

            the net

The buzzer sounds

And I’m finally set free

Now I rest safely on the rack

Awaiting the next game

The Zwart Zoo

My family is a zoo.

Dad is a lion,

     leader of the pride.

Mom is a mama bear,

     protecting her little cubs.

Zach is a rhino,

     clearing everything in his path.

Aaron is a seal,

     always barking and playin’ around.

Allie is a gazelle,

     silently prancing about.

Skyler is a kangaroo,

     curiously jumping all over the place.

Seth is a penguin,

     cute but always pecking at someone.

Sam is a monkey,

     loud and playful.

And me? Well I’m the zookeeper,

trying to manage this zoo

and all these crazy animals.