“… staringdown/All his young days into the harbor where/His ball went…”

Do you think the boyhas had the ball for a long time? Is it linked to the memories ofdays when he played with it?

Yes, itseems like the boy has had the ball for a long time. When it bouncedinto the water, all his memories of the days of childhood flashed infront of him. This led to a realisation that those moments would notcome back, just like the ball. He can buy new balls and can similarlycreate new moments, but those that are gone would not return.