The bartender strolls from one
end of the counter to the other.
She makes small talk with regulars
who watch NFL games on screens
and a college basketball game
plays on another.
For each touchdown scored
mugs are raised.
Fans analyze every run and play
and the day unfolds.
while the bartender pours beers.
She says her boyfriend and dog
are at home.
A man at the end of the bar
pays his tab.
A woman from public housing
pushes her walker and sits
in their midst.
She’s come in to watch Cubs games
and she’s here again
although baseball season is over.
I once knew a man who was tall and skinny.
I was 35 at the time with a small family.
If he had a family of his own. I knew not any.
His means was menial and his needs were many.
For this man, we did the best we could.
He knew what we believed in and where we stood.
He was homeless and hungry in our neighborhood.
We showed him God's love and gave him food.
He was gentle, kind, and never rude.
We first met in the winter of 1984 in San Francisco, and Reuben was his name.
We took him to a Golden State Warriors basketball game.
He also sat at our dinner table on Christ m as Day.
We felt privileged to meet him and help him through his pain.
Moreover, because of Reuben
My life was never the same.
It was very cold outside.
I had a basketball game we tied.
I went to go eat some turkey.
I saw the pool; it was frozen and murky.
You First
Been missed
You too keep notice
Been away why?
You to the soonest
Every moment to clap
...Once more, I am a...
Tall human you never saw
As in every basketball game i go
...Play
...Or No
I can remember a February
away back in nineteen seventy-four
'Twas a first meeting of my family
and my intended whom I'd spoken for.
Two hour ride to Kentucky's western part
with a basketball game planned to follow
home-cooked meal - key to a son-in-law's heart.
The tension on both sides, hard to swallow.
Driving home after the game my sweetheart
suffered an attack, much worse shall we say,
than a mere gastrointestinal fart.
Gas stations, closed; fast food stops, gone astray.
No rhyme nor reason fits distension's distress;
My beloved sensed a connection, right off -
key to dad’s workplace suspended a big mess
as mom wonders, "Was it my rice pilaf?"
written February 9, 2018
Why do I always get the news the day after?
Is somebody up above watching out for me?
I can almost hear what sounds a little like laughter
Every time I find out I escaped misery.
It all started when I was just a little boy,
When, one day, I wanted to go to Danny’s place.
The day after, I found out that his house was destroyed.
I was spared from the tornado by an angel of grace.
Then, in high school, after a basketball game,
I rode home with my brother instead of on the bus.
The day after, I found out the bus went up in flames.
My brother and I were lucky; it could have been us.
Then, one September morning, my meeting was cancelled,
So, I left my cell phone and went to the beach instead.
The day after, I found out the Towers had crumbled.
I should be among the three thousand that are dead.
M-ake no mistake in life,
E-ven in a basketball game;
R-emain in the right path,
L-ittle error can tarnish
Y-our name.
B-all is in your hands
O-ctober twenty-ninth day;
N-either arm will violate,
D-ribbling not in a wrong way.
A-llow not your feet to travel toward the false direction;
D-riving hard to the goal, charging not one in motion.
B-e careful with your action,
A-ware of every matter;
L-et your life be righteous,
D-on't turn the ball
O-ver.
Good basketball game!
The Brooklyn team actually won!
I take joy in that
They're tearing down Saint Ann's
As I shed a nostalgic tear
Part of my childhood gone
Where I spent my sophomore year
It was September of sixty one
Our very first week of class
It was only a short walk from school
To the Church where we attended Mass
Coal region was different then
We smoked on the morning ride
Each town held something special
A sense of purpose, a sense of pride
Saint Ann's dances on a Sunday night
Quarter admission seven to ten
Jesse Belvin "Goodnight My Love"
Hitch a ride home back then
Basketball game downstairs at lunch
Or play horsie against the wall
Sneak a cigarette in the boys room
Passing notes in the hall.
My Place was the local hangout
Jukebox in the back
Sometimes playing match pack football
No one keeping track
Now the stained glass windows are gone
And tears flow like falling rain
Soon they'll raze the building
Only memories will remain
They're tearing down Saint Ann's
Feel a longing in my soul
They're tearing down Saint Ann's
As progress takes its toll.
Epigram Couplet Contest
Sponsor: Silent One
Belly ache when the basketball game had started,
I was shooting a lay up, and accidentally farted!
Written: November 21, 2015
Telling blacks not to come to a basketball game.
That is such a racist remark and a shame.
Making such a comment is an absurdity.
In the professional basketball community,
African-Americans make up the great majority.
Those words said were a public disgrace.
Everywhere in any professional sports place,
room should be made for any color and race.
from a news story found on aol.com
When Philadelphians wanted to see a basketball game,
the “Warriors” was their first team’s name.
They had several players achieving great fame.
Familiar names included Joe Fulks and Paul Arizin.
They were joined by Tom Gola and Wilt Chamberlain.
However, it was in the year of 1962
when the NBA franchise packed up and bid adieu.
The only professional team Philadelphia would know,
moved their operations to San Francisco.
Therefore, Philadelphia was without a team for a year.
However, the Syracuse Nationals relocated here.
In the City of Brotherly Love, they took a new name.
The “Seventy-Sixers” were now playing the game.
They traded to bring Wilt Chamberlain back.
The offense sported a formidable attack.
Among the big names that were playing here,
were Chet Walker, Luke Jackson, and Hal Greer.
The city’s basketball fans were in seventh heaven
when their team became world champions in 1967.
carnival -- indoors
instead of outdoors -- has a
stifling air to it
silk wearing psychic --
mouth with an overbite -- tells
the future glibly
basketball game -- hoops
too small for tossing -- gives a
large dust-covered prize