To throw a ball so it curves – that is, veers
left or right, up or down unexpectedly –
is an alchemy of physics and flesh,
a lopsiding of ambient pressures.
Your fingers must grip and stretch and twist
at seams, so the ball spins upon release,
as a leaf might whirligig from your hand
if you were a tree in autumn. That’s when only
the best teams are still playing. If yours is not,
it’s a long lonely season of staring
with no ball to keep your eye on or hold.