BASKETBALL

 

BASKETBALL

I was a kid

Playing basketball on my favorite courts

Next to the Long Island Expressway

 My friend was angry at me

Over some nonsense that happened 

Outside the courts

He had punched me in the arm

And I was upset

So I took it out

On the older man who liked to play

With us

Who had a marine haircut

And a great hook shot

I told him to go play with someone his own age

Now many years later

Thirty

Driving by these courts

I saw him

Seemed time had stopped

Same marine haircut

Same great hook shot

I got out of the car and wanted to

Go over and apologize

But I didn't

I watched him play for a few minutes

He looked happy

So I got back in the car

And drove away