Only three minutes left
For the heated game
I can see the scoreboard blinking
With the shrill ringing of the referee’s whistle
Feet begin thumping with a snap
And just like that we are all dashing
Towards the orange bucket
Ignoring the cries of my parched throat
I run towards the striking ball
My ally is desperately in need
Grasping the sphere, I cut sharply through the court
Blurring images of dying legs
Engulfing me as I try to see
The shrieking throng with hopeful eyes
Is watching my every move
My coach’s urgent directions
Are ringing through my ears
His guiding eyes push me closer
To the towering goal
Determination overpowers my anxiety
As I dash through the frantic faces
Deep breaths as I aim for the basket
I leap reaching over the players’ outstretched arms
The ball bounces twice against the metal rim
As adversaries strain to see
For now everyone knows
Who I can really be
Dead silence immerses the court
The only sound is the swish of the net
And my screaming lungs
The cheering crowd and joyful expressions
Drown out my tapping heart
We are triumphant and victorious
For we have won the game.