I bounce the ball downcourt, shift left, then right, dribble the ball from one hand to the other. The noise of the crowd fills my head, my muscles tense, but I press on. Eyes on the basket, no pressure, no hurry, no worry. Do I drive in the layup? Do I stay at the free-throw line? Do I try for a jump shot? Or do I set my feet for a three-pointer? I get ready, pivot, accelerate, cock my arms, release—SWISH—right through the net, never hitting the rim. The crowd cheers! I look around the empty gym and smile.
Peter Blau teaches creative writing and believes that writing is more than just a means to an end, it is the end in itself.