In language arts on October 10, we ended up analyzing this poem from Kobe Bryant. I have never related so much to a poem. It meant something to me. One of my favorite sports is basketball, but the way Kobe put his words, just meant something else, a feeling I don’t even know how to explain, but will try.

As a little girl, I’ve always wanted to play basketball, but I never really had the chance to actually play. Last year, my junior year, I wanted to try out. It was the beginning of the year and tryouts were open.

I over-thought it and told myself “what about my anxiety? What if, because of my anxiety, I’m going to end up stopping the whole game in front of everybody and look stupid, and embarrasses my team.” After I scared myself with those thoughts, I didn’t end up going to tryouts. I’ve also just wanted to go out to play with friends and just have fun, but I also don’t have many friends. I only have my two best friends, and that’s it.

Not only did I relate to the poem because it was basketball, but because it was also about love. Dreams. Goals.

In the middle of my junior year, I started to get into writing. I had a rough time getting into journalism. I had someone doubt me because of my disability. That it was going to be “too hard” when in reality, it isn’t. I fought so hard to get into this class. I wanted to give up and just not keep asking, but then I told myself. “No, if you don’t keep speaking up, you’re never going to get it, and you’re going to end up regretting it.” So I fought harder. I eventually got the class, and I couldn’t be any happier. I’ve enjoyed the class ever since.

Here’s the “Dear basketball” poem.

“Dear Basketball,

From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks
And shooting imaginary
Game-winning shots
In the Great Western Forum
I knew one thing was real;

I was in love with you.

A love so deep I gave you my all
From my mind & body
To my spirit & soul.

As a six-year old boy
Deeply in love with you
I never saw the end of the tunnel.
I only saw myself
Running out of one.

And so I ran.
I ran up and down every court
After every loose ball for you.
You asked for my hustle
I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt
Not because challenge called me
But because YOU called me.
I did everything for you
Because that’s what you do
When someone makes you feel as
Alive as you’ve made me feel.

You gave a six-year old boy his Laker dream.
And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.
This season is all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK.
I’m ready to let you go
I want you to know now
So we both can savor every moment we
Have left together.
The good & the bad.

We have given each other
All that we have.

And we both know, no matter what I do next
I’ll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always,
Kobe”

I myself write quotes. I can sit there and write about the meaningful things that have happened in my life. Things I’ve been through by putting it into a lesson. Many lessons. This poem will always mean something to me. I never thought I would actually be into it like I am today. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to fail. But all that matters is, to never give up. Keep going. You know you have a life ahead of you. Do and chase what you want to do.

Here is how I feel about and relate to different parts of the poem.:

“I fell in love with you.” – Knowing what he wanted to do from the beginning.

“I gave you my all, from my mind & body, to my spirit & soul.” – To sacrifice yourself for someone and something.

“And so I ran. I ran up and down every court after every loose ball for you.” – Doing something for someone/thing because of how much love you have for them.

“I gave you my heart.” – Giving your all into one person/thing.

“Sweat and hurt.” – You do anything for someone/something you love. You give yourself away, without even realizing it. Without knowing what it’s doing to you on the inside.

“My body knows it’s time to say goodbye.” – No matter how much you love it/them, you have to let it go and leave eventually, even it’s going to hurt you. Because you’re doing what’s best for you.

“The good & the bad.” – Cherish and be grateful for the memories & times you’ve spent.

“I’ll always be that kid with the rolled up socks, garbage can in the corner, :05 seconds on the clock ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1
Love you always, Kobe.” – No matter how much stuff you’ve been through, always remember who you were/are.

You may be wondering why I mentioned the word “someone” as well as something. Well, it’s because- growing up to be a teenager, obviously we experience “love,” relationships.

Don’t give up on chasing something you want. Keep going. Even if it gets hard.