Birdsboro YMCA
PEAR Hangs up the sneaks
In my prideful moments, swimming in the sweat,
Were rivulets too of acknowledgment.
I was 42 years old, and mostly short and squat.
But I had run with some local greats –
The Beasleys and the Laceys – the Carter boys –
Some of whom were part of my own squad sometimes –
And I had more than held my own.
Running, jumping, defending, screening,
And getting the ball to the guys who can score,
That was my contribution.
But tonight was the last straw.
I arrived late, lay a sweatshirt on the bench,
And entered the game when the next call came.
Feeling tight and sore and slow,
I huffed and puffed through one possession,
And hustled like always back on defense
When a teammates’ try fell short.
That’s when Turtle, all 19 years of him,
Signaled that he was coming for me.
Turns out one trip up and down was enough for him.
I wasn’t even lathered yet, and with a nickname like
SweatFat, I knew the flood was on its way.
Instead, the wash of guilt, and disappointment
Stayed behind the gates. I was never good enough
To be the guy who waved off his prospective replacement.
That gesture was reserved for the ones with game.
Instead, I had offered through 20 plus seasons,
A devotion to the nitty and the gritty. The achievement
Was to perform beyond mere ability and skill,
But to will myself to worthiness to run with the players.
So, the buzzer rang. Time ran out. For me, not for them.
No reason to be pissed at Turtle, or at life.
I looked for some satisfaction there on the sidelines
But it must have been rolled up in the sweatshirt
I left on the bench and have never seen again.
Acceptance is a heartless thing. The bell tolled for me,
And I heeded its call, in the moment. The sneakers
Kept squeaking, and the balls kept pounding.
I hear guys yell even now to get the ball ahead…
I knew as I left the gym that I would never
Run like that again. I cannot miss a game that
I can no longer play the way it’s meant for me.
We can outrun our talent for only so long before
The wheels come off. Before the wheels come off.
