Best Basketball Team Poems
FOREVER LOVE
Margie........my one and only........Margie
love's music echoes timeless
spring fed it flows forever
Pop would get up early, make Mom's hand-mixed
favorite black and green tea, and when ready,
he walked down the hallway tinkling her teacup
with a spoon, gently waking her.
When he came home each day
he'd whistle the tune......
"Margie......how I love you ......"
alerting her that he was near.
On occasion, his mood would be jubilant
upon arriving home,
whistling......
"Sweet.....Georgia.....Brown!"
just like his favorite basketball team,
The 'Harlem Globetrotters'
Mom was Dad's whole world,
I could hear his expectant excitement
in the tone of his remarkable whistling
whenever I pushed him down the hallway
in his wheelchair, knowing his one and only
lifelong love would soon be in sight.
He couldn't mix and brew her favorite tea
anymore, or wake her with her tinkling teacup,
but until the end, he could still whistle!
.....and man!
could he whistle!
Why the long face, son? Did someone die?
Aw, Dad. I flunked my math exam
Did you do your level best, son?
I did, Dad. I studied so hard for the test
You know that's all I ask of you, son
And everything is always for the best. Right, Dad?...
What's up, son? Are those tears streaming down your cheeks?
Aw, Dad. I didn't make the varsity basketball team
Did you try your level best, son?
You know I did, Dad. I trained so hard last summer
That's all I can ask of you, my son
And everything is always for the best, Dad...
Is everything ok, son? You look like you saw a ghost
I did lousy on the law boards, Dad
Did you do your level best, son?
I don't know, Dad. I thought I did. But--
--But everything is always for the best, son. You know that by now.
You're right, Dad. Everything is always for the best...
Dad, you're not here with me on this Earth anymore
But your words live on inside me, and
They are of great comfort to me now, Dad
And you were right. Everything is always for the best--
I flunked the math exam because I was not meant
to be a statistician or a computer programmer
I didn't make the varsity team because I was not
cut out to be a great basketball player
I did lousy on the law boards because I never
really wanted to be a lawyer, not in my heart...
I'm a part-time poet now, Dad. That's right
My wonderful poetic friends and I are busy, busy
We create tempting, tasty dishes of Poetry Soup
~ And hereby serve up today's soup de jour, Dad
Everything really and truly is always for the best
February 11, 2019
Entry in "Repetition" Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
You know I met you while at work
We go to completely different schools
I just happen to work right inside yours
Just a little glimpse into your world
and I fell completely head over heels
It's too bad your taken
Of course you are
Your the typical prom king type
The captain of the basketball team
Or the Quarterback in football
All those stereotypical labels
But to me your so much more
It's sunken in with me pretty well
Settled in my stomach
and it's digesting
Your the only person
That makes me wanna fly
Your girl friend makes it obvious
that she doesn't want me breaking
any of her precious school barriers
But I'm the type that's gets noticed
Without even voicing an opinion
or lifting a finger
She's your own special hawk
She has eyes behind her head
and your glued to her lap
But you know something she can't control?
Me messaging you on myspace
and you responding
'Shorty', they called him from the very first grade in school.
He was seldom chosen for any game as a general rule.
He'd reached his maximum height of five feet six as a teen.
Though small in stature, athletic prowess lay dormant, yet unseen!
He tried out for baseball, football, even the basketball team.
Just to be a member of a team was his fervent dream.
Apprehensive coaches agreed to give the eager lad a chance.
Perhaps he could warm the bench - his ego it might enhance!
He was the third-string running back on the football team.
During the championship game the others ran out of steam
The score was tied - ten seconds remained upon the the clock.
He scored the winning touchdown! That day 'Shorty' became a jock!
The state final basketball game is still talked about today.
All the star players fouled out, much to the coach's dismay!
The score was tied - 'Shorty' was sent in with seconds to go.
He was fouled but with steady nerve, his was the winning throw!
He gave his all when called upon and was accustomed to the jeers,
But accolades were showered upon him by his coaches, fans and peers!
His coaches learned that 'tis best never to judge a feller by his size!
He might just be the winner who brings home the coveted prize!
In Middle School, I played in several basketball games, two of which
were most memorable. One of them we lost but won the other one.
Once in a while, we are blessed with the presence of a magical moment.
They are rare; they are few; cherish them and understand why they are sent.
We are graced by heaven with an unspeakable and thrilling event.
Your greatest sports victory; absolutely spectacular!
Your greatest sports defeat; it’s also sincerely yours.
It’s your life, your story; dreams are made of these.
Remind yourself; tell your children and their children.
Tell them that life is best when we learn lessons that we need not repeat.
Tell them that life has balance, and provides both agonies and defeats.
When in the eight grade, I made the basketball team at my school.
It was both fun and work as I played and learned the rules.
As in every sport, winning is great; but losing is not cool.
One season, my school played a rival school.
I played the two-guard position and scored no baskets;
Nor did I succeed at anything else.
By game’s end, our rivals had scored 52 points.
And my team had managed a measly total of 12.
They were big and confident; we departed deeply defeated
and sorely beaten. I started the season with pride and expectations, but finished weakened.
But in the game of life, we pick our faces off the floor, head for the door, and stop our weeping. We cheer and shout our wins, but it’s hard to master how to lose. The greatest wins are those we celebrate when in defeat, we paid our dues.
Today, the game is over, and we lost; tomorrow, we again, lace our shoes.
Tomorrow, a new day will unfold with new battles; but a new story will emerge.
cj09032007
Below are the majority views of students about to vote
for their next high school head-captain:
Nelson:
He is tall and handsome,
plays for our basketball team,
knows the best bars in town,
hates maths, just like us.
Pitt:
He's shy,
hates proms and games,
he's a nerd,
he wears heavy glasses
Charlie:
He's a perv and a chain smoker,
heavy metal is his friend,
never talks much,
but rocks in raving!
Kelvin:
An "A" material, and spends more time
in the library than in bed.
He believes in extraterrestrials.
We think he should visit a shrink or something....
Hosea:
He's very smart and funny,
active in spoken word,
hates politicking,
certain for a scholarship,
very good with skateboards....
................................................................................
Hosea made the cut,
but forcefully. Majority
of students threatened
that they would steal his
skateboards, if he didn't
stand for the coveted position
as the head-captain......
The "Remix" of 1980 and 1986 continued in 2013: The Louisville Cardinals Basketball Team had bliss,and under Rick Pitino the team did a "Remix" of 1980,and 1986! The Louisville Cardinals Basketball Team were a "Hit"! It was like a hit record had been sold,and "The Louisville Cardinals Basketball Team had received a great big "Pot of Gold"!!!Rick Pitino,and Louisville Kentucky were having pure uninterrupted bliss with the 2013 Championship!Rick Pitino taught every member of the basketball team how to be victorious in every specific position that is played when they are on the basketball court,and that makes Rick Pitino a "Great Leader" in that "Specific" sport! Rick is a unique sort when he is directing the "Basketball Players on "The Basketball Court!!!The team players switch up in positions that they play,and confuses the other team,and that makes "Rick's coaching experience gleam! Rick really does know how to direct a"Basketball Team",and win: Again,and again,and again!We had bliss in 2013 in Louisville,Kentucky! Rick Pitino did the most when he became coach:no one should rock his successful boat! It is still afloat! Rick brought "The Louisville Cardinals Basketball Team Positive Hope when we gleamed in 2013!!!
This big and little city is so great.
It is situated near the middle of the state.
The city draws tourists and visitors in a plethora.
It has most of what can be found in Florida.
This place must be the product of a dream.
The “Magic” is the name of their basketball team.
The team plays a poised and formidable game.
Is it any wonder the team has that name?
All year long, the weather is usually fine.
Visitors can enjoy some warm sunshine.
Included is some clear and sparkling water.
Be sure to bring your spouse, son, and daughter.
There are hotels and restaurants galore.
Besides big theme parks, it has much more.
This is where the family has a good time.
In order to describe it all, need I rhyme?
This is a town many people would know.
For a great vacation, just get up and go.
The city is none other than Orlando.
JUST DUCKY, WHY?
“Oh, look, my little Johnny’s the only one in step.”
It had always seemed that way,
somehow, no matter how hard he tried
little Johnny just couldn’t seem to get it straight.
He colored outside the lines
just because he thought the hippo
should be a little bigger, rounder,
you know, like a hippo.
He was told by the music teacher
“he couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket”.
Little Johnny didn’t care too much for choir
but he sure liked to sing those alleluia’s - loudly.
He was, or at least was told he was –
too slow for the track team
too short for the basketball team
too soft spoken for the debate team.
That he was, always would be, “a duck out of water”.
“Well, the duck seems pretty happy in the water”
“and always goes back in when he wants to be happy.”
“I wonder what, or where, my water is?”
Over time little Johnny accepted his fate,
celebrated being the only one in step with himself,
colored outside the lines, sang off key and loudly,
understood that he danced to a different tune.
Not much has changed for “little” Johnny.
Oh, he got bigger, accepted his “duck-ness”,
still can’t carry a tune in a bucket,
is still too slow, too short, too soft spoken.
Yet he knows that he is just fast enough,
just tall enough, just loud enough,
and just musical enough for himself
and he wouldn’t have him any other way.
John G. Lawless
2/20/2015
Submitted – Out of Water – Poetry Contest
sponsor – Sheri Fresonke Harper
Gregg is greatly revered by his younger brother,
For his basketball shooting, skill and dexterity,
He was born Nov. 1996 in Leigh in Lancashire,
And is a 2.0 player with much junior activity.
In 2010 at Lord Taverners Nat. Junior Champs,
He was the most improved Under 15 player,
And at the GB Junior Summer Camp, amps,
He was also the most greatly improved player.
He became a part of the England North team,
In 2012, and they won Sainsbury’s School gold,
And at the Under 22 European Champs mean,
He helped to collect the bronze with his hold.
In Japan at the Kitakyushu Cup, Junior Men’s,
2014, his basketball team won the silver medal,
And in Rio they won the bronze, had gold pens:
Gregg enjoys playing drums for his twaddle.
Oh, those carefree days of youth
where did they go, where did they go?
He sits quietly in his recliner watching the TV drone on and on...
Handsome in his youth, now his body is gaunt and frail
his thinning gray hair is brushed carefully over his mottled scalp.
Those blue eyes, once bright and vital, now appear
faded and dim under heavy glasses.
A wind up clock faintly ticks by the minutes, and his eyelids
get heavy. He is tired, always tired...then he dreams.
Dreams of distant memories come back to him
he feels so alive, living in those glory days of long ago.
Now a young man, full of vigor, running along the beach
swimming in the ocean, muscled, tan and strong.
He then sees himself on his high school campus
proudly wearing his letter man jacket for his varsity
basketball team, joking around with his friends
going on dates, going to dances, going to parties.
A sudden noise blasting from the television jolts
him awake, bringing him out of his long ago reverie.
He glances down at his frail frame, and reality
comes screaming down upon him again.
Then a few small, salty tears trickle down
from my dad's weather worn face...
Oh, those carefree days of youth
where did they go, where did they go?
Written on 6/8/2016
Terry was born in Redcar, Middlesborough,
On the 28th day of June in the year 1983,
And he flips between Worcester and Spain,
To train for his basketball matches actively.
In 2008 at the Worlds Terry won the silver,
2004 and the Athens Paralympics, a bronze,
A bronze in 2008 at the Beijing Paralympics,
And fourth place at the 2012 London dons.
In Rio de Janeiro in South America, 2016,
The GBR basketball team came in third,
Collecting the bronze to win over Turkey,
When they won the overtime final word.
Ade is a 2.5 wheelchair basketball player,
Who was born in Lagos in Nigeria in 1978,
His home town is Liverpool, a Mersey sayer,
In Spain club BSR Amiab Albacete is a date.
He lives partly in London, joined the Bullets,
And he’s travelled with the sport worldwide,
German, Italian, Israeli and South Korean sets,
Sunshine is his normality to love and abide.
In 2003 at the Europeans in Sassari in Italy,
Ade and his basketball team won the bronze,
And in 2005 at more Europeans, Paris’s sway,
The GB squad came second with silver cons.
Then in 2007 at the World Champs, Germany,
A silver was wrought, and in Beijing in 2008,
TeamGB won a bronze to the podium occupy,
And in 2011 a gold fell, Isreali Euro freight.
2013 and TeamGB won the Euros, Frankfurt,
2015 they won another Euro gold, Worcester,
So in 2016 at Rio Ade contributed to support,
His team to add a bronze to this large cluster.
Ade was jailed by Liverpool Crown Court,
For claiming over £33000 of state benefits:
Housing, council tax benefit, income support,
In 2009 he spent six months with jail slits.
In games as in life, we cannot always win; and sometimes we even get injuries that force us to sit out the game. When in the 8th grade, I made the basketball team. I recall two memorable games, the first of which we lost, and I even remember the score. It was 52 to 12. But later on in the season, we played another team; and that time, we won.
In that game, I helped my team to win by scoring just 4 little points.
But those points came at a time when my team needed a big lift.
On two successive possessions, I scored long shots that would count as 3-pointers today, and the crowd cheered.
45 years ago, game one brought shame,
but game two brought me a little fame.
Once we experience the life of balance,
we will never remain the same.
On our parade, it takes a little rain.
In the game of life, it takes a little pain.
It’s the only way to experience any gain.
09032007
At the age of 17 Ian broke his back,
In a motorbike accident, had rehab,
He then worked for a w/c company,
Who showed him w/c basketball fab.
For 3 years he played in the club,
Of the Sheffield Steelers, and then,
He transferred to the Tameside Owls,
To join the British team of deft men.
In 2009 at the European Champs,
Ian and team won the bronze, Turkey,
And then in Israel at more Europeans,
,2011, the team collected gold monkey.
In 2013 at the Europeans in Frankfurt,
The basketball team won the lush gold,
Then in 2015 in Worcester, East Sussex,
He rolled his team into another gold.
So when Rio came they were ready,
And took the bronze from Turkey, 82-76,
Ian was born in Barnsley a 3 pointer,
On the 29th March 1982, quick sticks.