Imperfect Birds

"James and Elizabeth sat in a rasping wicker porch swing that the sellers had left behind in the trashed garden of the rickety and voracious house, overpriced until you factored in the sunset. The sky was soft pink; the night was cool. When the clouds crashed and stumbled forward one into another, James gathered up the tea tray and they went inside." - Anne Lamott in Imperfect Birds 

Seek proficiency in anything worth doing. 

Note the Lamott excerpt: 

1) Paint a picture - "trashed garden of the rickety and voracious house," the odd juxtaposition of voracious and house. 

2) Active verbs - "clouds crashed and stumbled forward" 

3) Use of semicolon as linkage - "The sky was soft pink; the night was cool." 

Your play paints pictures, too. One player floats high above the net, an ethereal albatross; another shows the grim determination of the Terminator patrolling the back row. 

In British slang, "bird" refers to a young woman. The term conveys no flattery. Lamott's classic "Bird by Bird," teaches writing, not ornithology. Her brother's tardy approach to a book report explains the title. Birds are literally birds.

The season perches on the precipice of the "stretch run" into the postseason. The coaches still unearth 'answers' as to whom will answer the bell during critical moments. No amount of polishing erases all imperfections. Never has; never will.

Control what you can control. Direct your thoughts to this moment.

Lagniappe. Add pieces to your personal puzzle. Fill your toolbox.

• Better writing or playing begins with intent.
• Gather tools as you find them. Dispose of outdated ones.
• Your palette allows you to paint with your distinctive style.
• Be the coaches' answer.
• Focus on the here and now.

Never be doubted.