Edward Hirsch’s “Fast Break” is at first glance simply a poem based on basketball. Upon further examination a much deeper meaning can be found. With a combination of vivid language, similes, and hyperboles Mr. Hirsch creates an image of both fluent motion and team chemistry on the hardwood of a basketball court. Basketball, when played the right way, can be described as poetry in motion. Mr. Hirsch has taken this game of both smooth finesse and raw strength and shown its true form in his poem. The game is one of many moving parts which must all flow as one. This can be seen in lines seven and eight, “and spinning the throw a strike to the outlet who is already shoveling”. In these words an image of two teammates, two moving pieces coming
