4 quarters
4 Quarters
By: Darius Anderson
Three quarters gone
one more to go
I can’t go on anymore
My right ankle has been taken from my feet
I try not to give up but I am already overwhelmed by defeat
And I fall to the cold level floor and say “ No this ain't me”
I scout the room of the faces who spectate my fall
To my left are faces of manipulative concession
Faces of semi- conceptual depression
And faces of hope and reconciliation
The concern in my teammates and coaches eyes
Encourage me to survive one last time
And so the trainer wrapped my right ankle
With the determination of Jesus and the love of God
Healing a faithful servant to go fight this war one more time
I look up and God’s soldiers are down by six
With two minutes left in the last quarter of brutal battle
I step right in the midst of the war and to defend our home court
The ball carrier of the opposing team dribbles up court
With little known knowledge that I have the will of God as my ankle support
And flashes the ball to his teammate to the left of him
But before the ball could make it to its destination
It was interrupted by the inflared determination of me
And as I took the ball I ran the race to the goal
And put the basketball in the hole
But hold there is 1 minute 30 seconds to go and we are still down by four
I prayed a quick prayer to God to open the door one last time
Possession two came and I was back on my grind
He dribbles in the same fashion but at a slower pace
Hoping he doesn't face off with me in another race
So I stepped further into enemy territory and guarded him face up
Watching the hesitant dribble from his right hand
The trembling in his hand led to a loser ball
It was in his possession but yet another withdrawal
I swiped all my deepest fears from his trembling hand and reached the goal
Again under the basket I stand,
God’s plan was for me to take matters in my own hands
Possession 3 he dribbles eagerly afraid to get his dreams snatched
And his heart to get cold like a fever despising the winning receiver
But me I was fighting with God’s urge and a greater ambition
He was fighting for his own benefit and other people's vision
Possession 3 and the ball was ripped out of his selfish hand by my precision
But this time he grabbed me mid air and again I hit the floor
A cold fear now awaits me with one second left
And two free throws to drain like the fears that still remain
We are down by two and the first free throw go swoosh
The ball comes back in my hand for the last shot to tie it all
But this time I was not doing it for God, I saw people's acceptance in the ball
I let it go with the utmost confidence and it rolled around the rim
Like I gambled with faith but was prideful in my sin
It rolled out And hit the ground with a sort of disgrace
I had God on my side until I lost his trace and my pride took over
And the veil uncovered my face and now God saw my ambition
And let me face my own decision and it resulted in losing the battle
And my team not winning
I lost because of my egotistical approach
Pride is embedded in man's history
And I stopped depending on God to carry me to my victory
I need God to help me in the turmoil of my biggest fears
And my greatest Joy, Giving him the control to be the Father and I be the lost boy.
Because you love the boy, Because I love you