Creative Poetry
From The Beginning
Our ball was worn and fading
Our shoes untied and scuffed
The rim was slanting
slightly
sideways
But it would all pay off soon enough
Our size held no advantage
Our age of ten was just a number
The backyard was our domain
For our lives were unencumbered
Our goals were all the same
Our dreams seemed so clear
There was nothing that could hold us back
We were determined when we were sincere
We were the kids at the end of the street
We wouldn’t stop ‘til we succeeded
There was nothing else in which we longed for
For each other was all we needed
Like Mike
When I turned ten years old
Mom had bought me my first pair
They glowed a pearl white
A sin to hold them with unclean hands
The fresh scent was still emanating from the box
The smell that symbolized a new beginning
The beauty was overwhelming
So blatantly white, yet so beautiful
I felt ashamed to put them on
But the feel of power outweighed the shame
Walking so slowly; attempting to keep them perfect
My mind screaming, “Careful, don’t crease them!”
With these tied to my feet
I had grown from a boy to an athlete
An athlete who was ready for the big stage
Ready to become like Mike
Roster
6’2”
Starting Point Guard
Born and Raised in Magnolia
Lincoln High School
Home of the Warriors
The Journey Finally Begins
Victory
perform
fight fiercely
never give up
only then can you
Win.
Defeat
Even though it’s not the end
The first taste is bitter
Regrets begin to settle
As you wonder what you could have changed
However, the key to a loss is a smile
Internal pain is difficult to heal
But gift a smile to your fallen comrades
And you will find the purpose of the game
It’s Time
The time is finally here
It’s what we all have worked for
Our team is in the tunnel
Ready for what the night has in store
All the fans are now cheering
They’re applauding and up on their feet
This night was what we had dreamed of
When we were once “kids at the end of the street”
Our breathing begins to quicken
Hearts thrashing against our chest
This night was what we had dreamed of
When we were kids vowing to give our very best
We walk onto the court
Determination burning in our eyes
This night was what we had dreamed of
When we were just kids reaching for the sky
The ball is tossed in the air
All we need is one more win
This night was what we had dreamed of . . .
Let the game begin!
Losing the Game
So much has been lost
Pain ridden heart hides the tears
When the mouth can’t speak
Broken
The team is no more
Taking the joy of the game
Leaving you broken
Memories
What is there to do
When the game you once loved changes?
When the fun disappears
And all you’re left with are memories
Memories of how it used to be
Memories of laughter and joy
You are still able to recall this image
But the picture is now impaired from pain
Memories help us to never forget,
But what is there to do
When these everlasting memories
Are what cause the pain through and through
The Game
It took me awhile to realize
That The Game never went away
It may change, adapt or even drift afar
But it will always be with you to stay
Looking back on all of it now
It never mattered about the glamor or the fame
The only thing that truly matters
Is the people by your side when you play The Game