The Zen of Basketball

Think not overly about the shot
About the grooves being aligned just right or not
Or if the wind is about to pick up or stop
But just shoot
"See the rim
Be the rim"
As they say
Let it fly
And play
Above all
For the joy of the game
And when not
When the shots seem to fall awry
When chance seemingly passes us by
Or even when it all proudly goes our way
This is still our up and down
Emotional state
Of attitudes based
Upon perceived results
Which unfailingly lead
To the limited creed
That does preach, "either we fail or succeed"
Of, "lead, follow or get out of the way"
To the frantic way
Of undue expectancy or fret within our day
And when this takes place
It's time
To go to the line
Yes
The blessed free-throw line
That place of center
Where movement and breathing
Aren't just taken for granted
But are firmly yet softly and harmoniously planted
Like the tallest of trees
That once was a seed
As the gentlest breeze
Unseen
That touches all the grand seas
With the greatest of ease
Here and Now
Becomes the only place and time to Be
Not just bouncing the ball
But, The Bouncing Ball
At the line
Is found
Our When and Where
The within of all that surrounds
And this is The Zen of Basketball