it's the game

the old men
on the court in the hot sun.
old dogs
barking,
running,
limping towards
the hoop.
knees wrapped,
hats on
to keep the blaze
of heat
off their wrinkled
brows.
still at it after all
these years.
the shoes tied tight,
the jerseys
pulled over
the bellies. in between
games
the stories are told,
remember when.
it's an oasis of life.
nothing else
matters when you're here.
it's the game.