im playing basketball as the day fades around me and the streetlight begins to glow im choking the anger out of my system playing harder faster my breath comes out in gasps as i dribble around obstacles pounding harder and harder shooting from farther and farther away then my anger boils down to a throbbing annoyance my form is perfected as the ball hits the rim and falls away again and again finally all enemies are forgotten all grudges laid aside im playing basketball as day turns into night shades are drawn and lights turned off as i continue playing i dribble around my legs back and forth shooting my muscles pulled taut as the ball leaves the hands who know it so well my eyes follow its arc watching it fall through the air the net catching it gracefully it hits the ground again and i spring after it only to pass it over my head and into the basket again im playing basketball for myself for that feeling of pure power of pure innocence caring about nothing but the next shot watching nothing but the ball when it leaves my hands feeling nothing but my muscles pulling stretching setting that ball in motion giving it life and then snatching it away again once it hits the pavement im playing basketball long after the sun leaves and the moon comes to watch im playing basketball pushing myself harder and harder going farther and farther until my shots begin to fall short and my steps falter i retreat beneath the covers waiting for sleep to carry away memories of that anger that made me play as the day faded around me.