Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Sherman Alexie's "Why We Play Basketball," the experience of playing basketball serves as a metaphor for perseverance, hope, and a sense of community. The poem is divided into two parts, each addressing different aspects of why the characters, described as "Indians," continue to engage in the sport despite numerous obstacles.

Part one of the poem encapsulates a sense of unyielding determination. The lines "We wrapped our hands in old / socks, soaked the white snow / with kerosene, lit / the match, and melted it / all down to pavement," vividly convey the lengths these young men will go to in order to play. The challenges they face-poverty, as indicated by "old socks" and "thin bellies," and environmental factors like snow-are overcome with a resourcefulness that underscores their dedication to the game. The setting, a snow-covered court, and the obstacles, hunger and the "fear of missed shots," signify not just physical challenges but systemic ones too, symbolic of the broader struggles the Native American community faces. Yet, the characters are undeterred. Their zeal is not diminished by the looming darkness nor the parental figures who eventually "came searching for us / and carried us home."

The imagery evoked paints a picture of children who know the world won't readily accommodate them, but who adjust their surroundings instead to suit their needs. This serves as a poignant commentary on their situation: they must continually adapt, fight, and carve out a space for themselves in a world that often overlooks them.

Part two of the poem shifts its focus to the emotional and existential reasons for playing basketball. The game is not just a pastime but a milestone of sorts. The characters "remember the first / time we shot the ball / and knew, beyond doubt, / as it floated toward / the hoop, that it was / going to be good." That confidence, that moment of knowing you are capable of something good, becomes emblematic of much larger aspirations. In an environment where the characters may face social and economic barriers, such small victories take on monumental significance.

In this second part, the court becomes a space for remembering lost time and for reconciling with decisions made and paths not taken. As the characters "fell in love / with Indian girls / who grew past us," we sense a time-lapse of sorts, where years have passed and priorities have changed, but the court remains as a repository of memories and feelings. The notion of the ball being "suspended" and "waiting" reflects the stagnancy and pauses that life often experiences.

Finally, the poem's closing lines sum up its complex emotional landscape: the idea that love for the game is akin to love for life itself, punctuated by "years of such patience." Like that ball suspended in the air, the characters' dreams, hopes, and struggles hang in the balance, subject to time, gravity, and circumstance. Yet the enduring love for basketball provides them with a sense of purpose and joy, a reason to keep aiming for the net, no matter the obstacles.

"Why We Play Basketball" is a rich text that doesn't just celebrate a sport; it celebrates the resilience of a community, the beauty of small triumphs, and the complexities of growing older while holding onto what makes one feel most alive.

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