Brilliance

A translucent rubber ball bounces
In the palm of a boy,

Its new home
For twenty-five cents

From the vending machine,
Shining like the boy’s eyes-
A glimmering aquamarine

It was, to the child,

Until it carelessly slips
Out of his hand’s embrace,

Falling
Into a murky puddle,

Its brilliance obscured
And abandoned.