volley from one side to the other
sometimes we hit the net
sometimes the players spike us
vehemently so
but understand, that's just part of the game
it's essential to the game

serve me

perverse me,
subdue me,
screw me

deflate me

inevitable

i'm not being cynical

. . .

we could always tell ourselves
we serve ourself
though

no hands upon you
no forearms which you rebound off

you defy gravity
you fly from one side of the net to the other
suspended in the air

people have no control over you

megalomanic
absence of panic
we're in full control!
i am God! no one can hurt me!
solipsistic mystic
prevent pain
repent nothing