Heaven is a Playground

Basketball came alive, the passion strong,

At Foster School playground all summer long.

Black asphalt with white metal backboard,

Sully dribbled, Don drove the lane and scored.

 

Brothers Edwards, Malone and Garrity,

Nicknames like ‘Baby Ched’ and ‘Charity’. 

Bob Godfrey, Godfather of this hoop court,

Welcomed all players, whether tall or short.

 

No uniforms, we went with shirts or skins,

There were future captains and could have beens. 

No refs, called own fouls, honor to be tough,

Ryder blocked shots, McDonough played game rough.

 

Measured not by trophies but how one hustles and defends.

A place where we came to do battle and left as friends. 

 

Richard C. Welch, Jr.

May 16, 2021

 

Title Credit: Michael Edwards, Photo Credit: Kathleen Taylor