Nothing but net

[Gerryswo]

Thank you for your learned critique. I don't think I agree with your dislike or arched. It might not be a verb, but I think it presents an image that "soared" or "floated" do not. I think "like a small moon" by itself on a line presents a visual image that I like. I agree with your "exertion" comment. I will incorporate that into the next revision. I agree with a better word than "finally" as well. You presented some good options for improving the next edit. Thank you again.
NOTHING BUT NET

Revision 1

The ball arched silently through the night      I'm having a problem with using the word "arched." I understand why it is being used, but I find it awkward. Maybe "soared" or "floated" or ... maybe I don't like it because it really isn't a verb?
like a small moon eclipsed                            
eclipsed against a wash of white light,            I would move the word eclipsed to the previous line, to add interest in the read    
followed by a swish of net
and the thump of leather on the cracked black court.
The boy, facing invisible opponents,
grunted with exertion,                                   Maybe you don't need "with exertion"? Make it six single word lines, then "Nothing but net" - I think the staccato effect would add to the actions represented
twisted, turned,
stopped, leapt,
shot.
Nothing but net.
His game echoed off the scarred brick face of abandoned hope      "graffitied" brick face?
until he finally walked past the light                         I think the word "finally" could be improved on, maybe "until he was spent, walking into ..."
into the night,
thankful for the short time when he could forget,
not ready to go home yet,
reaching into his pocket for a cigarette.


If you listened
you could almost hear the ball
as it arched through the night,
silhouetted against the white light,
followed by a swish as it was constrained
briefly by the net
before thumping against the hard black surface.
Then the heaving grunt of exertion,
the singular slap of rubber on tar,
the silence,
the silence,
the thud of leather against a ring of iron.
The silence.
The repetition.
Finally, the boy, not even breathing hard,
walking past the light
into the night,
thankful for the short time when he could forget,
not ready to go home yet,
reaching into his pocket for a cigarette.

Nicely done. It is quite visual, which I enjoy. Thank you for sharing!