Tan and hard
Dirty black scuffs
Wearing them since his death
Hidden for years in the closet
Couldn’t imagine being without them.

Miss his laugh
Miss his anger
Miss his strength

See him in his chair fighting for life
Refusing to acknowledge death
Smiles wiped from his face
Laugher muted in his throat
Anger bubbles behind his eyes.

Miss his laugh
Miss his anger
Miss his strength

No muscle for anything but breath
His potent stature, crumbled
Frailty lines his face as laughter did once
He travels on a journey all alone
Searching to hang on to the known.

Fighting for air
Fighting for life
Refusing to die

He is no longer:
Most powerful on the court,
Protector of my youth,
Feared Avenging Angel.