"Flung To and Fro" Inspired by Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball:

Flung To and Fro

I feel shiny and new,

ready to start the dawning day.

Anticipation builds.

The goal is to get a new high score today,

to show yesterday’s score

how much better I am now.

I start off racing –

at least as fast as yesterday –

but my initial path garners fewer points.

No problem,

I can make it up.

But slamming into each obstacle

seems to knock me off course

instead of bouncing me higher.

Discouragement slows me down,

and I fall helplessly, unrescuably

down into the darkness.

Round two can be better.

It was just an off morning.

Bruised and battered,

ready to make up for my loss,

I get in place for the send off.

I race as fast as I can,

but I know I’m slower than I was.

I stretch for every possible point,

but it’s no use.

How will I ever reach a score

that proves yesterday wasn’t just luck?

Desperation makes me sloppy,

and I fall helplessly, unrescuably

down into the darkness.

The pressure is on for this final round.

It’s my last chance.

The lights and sounds are celebratory

as I garner points,

but I can’t celebrate yet –

not until I prove I can be my best.

One more miscalculation,

yet another mistake today,

and I fall helplessly, unrescuably

down into the darkness.

Today’s score is a pittance

in comparison to yesterday.

I’ll never get a second chance

after this poor display.

Everyone now knows how worthless I am,

how low I score.

But wait.

I’m returned to the starting position.

Who would take a chance on me?

This time, as I race up the shoot,

I glide on the confidence and kindness

extended to me.

An unexpected chance to try again.

My score might not always be the highest,

but maybe that doesn’t matter

as much as I thought.


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