Metal Rim Memories

BOING BOING SWISH
is what sounded out around the black topped court in my metal rim memories
a picture of my dad and slam dunks that always brought me out of sad funks
8 year old me dribbling the ball closer to the net, shooting a layup but missing yet the
frown on my face soon turned to a smile as my dad said, "Don't worry. You'll perfect it in a while"
So right he was, i got better and better until that one day
I'll never forgot her, the look on my mom's face as she picked up early from school...
at first i was happy. i was fool
she drove to the hospital and led me inside
i didn't understand. they were all acting like someone died
then as she brought into a clean, white hospital room i saw a mop of curly black hair that i instantly knew would be gone soon
i had a ball tucked under my arm but i dropped it and i swear it screamed...but maybe that was just me.
BOING BOING but no swish
is what sounded out around the hospital room in my metal rim memories
a picture of my dad and a hospital bed that always filled me with dread
13 year old me dribbling a ball up and down with the deepest of frowns
no slam dunks, layups, or free throws here. not in this place that filled me with fear
Two years later and my hope had died along with the man with the piercing blue eyes, eyes just like mine
it rained at the funeral and kept on all through the day.
BOING BOING SWISH
is what sounded around the black topped court in my metal rim memories
a picture of a ball bouncing off a backboard and into my arms that always filled me with a sense of failure
15 year old me taking many steps back then running forward with all i had
i corkscrewed up and gripped the rim...the ball went right in
sweat dribbled down my back and my goal was set.
BOING BOING SWISH
is what sounded around the professional court as the crowd screamed my name
a picture of shouting fans and sobbing opponents that always filled me with confidence
25 year old me has reached my goal in my metal rim memories.