Pbs Learning Media: Fast Break

Edward Hirsch's poem "Fast Break" captures a single slow-motion play on a basketball court. In this video [6:06] excerpted from Poetry in America, join Hirsch, host Elisa New, NBA players Shaquille O'Neal, Pau Gasol, and Shane Battier, and a group of pick-up basketball players as they use basketball to understand poetry, and poetry to better understand the game of basketball. Hirsch himself reveals how he shaped his couplets to represent offense and defense, teamwork and rivalry, enduring friendship and human mortality. Shaquille does the play by play, heading this episode's team of on-court interpreters who explore "Fast Break" as sport, art, and lens on human character.