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