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