- Sports History
I understand whata jump shot is,certain mechanics
of the body, handpositions, elbowalignment, follow
through. Enoughplayer names tomention around
the imaginary watercoolerif I foundmyself there. A body
at rest still needsto hydrate. I criedwatching Bird
and Magic in thatdocumentary andown a small collection
of expensive high-topsneakers in variouscolorways—used [End Page 101]
exclusively to walkmy pets or to thecoffee shop for
an almond croissant.Fresh to death. Onmy mantle, four second
place trophies fromintramural wrestlingall before fifth grade.
Pitter patter sprawl.I can’t rememberswimming. I mean,
I can’t swim. I can’tdrive. SometimesI miss a high five,
the pat on the ass.I swung and missedat tee-ball, golf. Traded
cards for the loveof the potential investment.George Brett, I’ll always
love your name.I appreciate highlights,trick plays as much as
the next: The Statueof Liberty, Flea Flickers,The Changing Light [End Page 102]
at Sandover. I wasborn in the suburbsof the city of brotherly
bullies, poor sports,famous boo-ers andstadium court houses.
I was the only boycut from my seventhgrade soccer team.
It’s in my blood to loseat all games, even Uno,especially Monopoly,
and when I do, I spitinto my palm or refuseto shake hands. [End Page 103]
Brett Fletcher Lauer is the author of Fake Missed Connections: Divorce, Online Dating, and Other Failures (Soft Skull, 2016) and A Hotel in Belgium. He is the deputy director of the Poetry Society of America.