Video Meliora, proboque; Deteriora sequor

Poetry from the latest National Review:

MENNONITE GIRLS AT BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Raising their arms, they scream — no, squeal — for joy,
Palms up and out to press the gamboling ball.
(It frisks from side to side; they re-deploy
Accordingly, in bunches, lest it fall.)
But no one in her — is it pinafore
Or Mother Hubbard? — springs to drive a spike.
The game seems pointless (no one keeping score),
And yet a dozen bonnets all alike
Lift up and scan the sky as if this counts,
Yes, really counts. They show a rapturous care,
But unconcern at what each shriek and jounce
Makes clear: as jocks, they haven't got a prayer.
Still, twelve long skirts keep sweeping up the sands.
Still, twelve young girls abandon all reserve.
The ball leaps wildly from no idle hands,
Until it's plain: these handmaids aim to serve.

— LEN KRISAK