Seventeen
by Damin Farhat
Downton Cleveland, at the Quicken Loans Arena,
I entered and was drawn in immediately by the
crowd surrounding me. I was unenergetic,
knowing little of what to expect of my first
NBA game. I was seventeen.
I stood in shock as I entered.
It was gigantic, the seats empty, with
big bright lights focused on the basketball court
standing, I thought this was what every little kid dreamed of playing
in front of. I was seventeen.
I watched with my cousins as the players made
everything look so easy. Each shot would effortlessly
fall within the red whole.
It reminded me why every kid mimicked their favorite player.
Everything looked so easy. I was seventeen.
I listened to the most ecstatic and energetic part of the
arena roared. Every shot, every pass, every timeout.
Whether it was applause or scorn.
They made sure they were heard.
I was seventeen.
I dreamed of being there, seventeen.