Here's why:
* Focus on literal action: The poem is primarily about the experience of taking a free throw in basketball. It describes the physical sensations, the pressure, and the psychological state of the player. There's a focus on the literal action of shooting the ball, rather than using symbolic language.
* Simile instead of metaphor: While the poem does contain similes, such as "My heart is a hummingbird," it doesn't use direct metaphors where one thing is said to be another thing. Similes use "like" or "as" to create comparisons, while metaphors draw a direct equivalence.
However, there are some elements in the poem that could be interpreted metaphorically:
* The game as a metaphor for life: The poem could be seen as a broader metaphor for facing challenges and the pressure of performing under scrutiny. The "foul shot" could represent any significant moment in life where one needs to step up and succeed.
* The ball as a symbol: The basketball itself could symbolize a goal, a dream, or a chance for redemption.
Ultimately, the poem's lack of explicit metaphors allows the reader to interpret the poem's meaning on a more personal and individual level. The focus on the literal action of the foul shot allows the poem to resonate with readers who have experienced pressure and uncertainty in their own lives.