My Team's Big Game

It was my first time to start

In a basketball game.

My team was counting on me.

I was paired against a guy

Four inches taller than me.

I was the center on my team.

When the referee threw the ball in the air,

I tipped it, and it hit my head.

When I played defense, the task seemed great.

I could not find any rhythm at all.

The ball was passed to me. I crossed midcourt.

Sweat poured from my brow to the floor.

The first time I took a shot,

The ball hit the backboard and not the net.

Given another chance I dribbled the ball,

Tried to make a pass and was fouled.

I shot my free throws, hit nothing but air.

I could not find any rhythm at all.

My coach called time out amidst lots of boos.

He put me on the end of the bench.

I felt so low. I had done nothing right.

My teammates lost all respect for me.

I could not find any rhythm at all.