THE BALL

It can be small and hard,
spherical or oblong.
It might be air-filled.
You may carry it or toss it
or bounce it or kick it
or hit it with a hand-held tool.
Regardless, you must exert
great effort to move it
in a particular direction
while your opponent may strive
with equal expense of energy
to reverse its movement or
at least to arrest its motion.

When you are young, you may
find yourself caring passionately
about its location at certain times,
whether you are actively engaged
in moving it or merely watching
others attempting to do so.

When you get older, it won't
seem quite so important.