Pop goes the Bloom

What drives the athlete, to be a star
To throw caution and their entire body and soul
to the wind?

Is it possible that the players' union
and the ones playing, leagues and owners and prospects
have settled on the exact currency that equals a kneecap
or a leg injury with the pain, anguish, golf-cart ride in front of millions and lifetime of rehab that go with the dream they are chasing?
What about the games before players go pro?
When there are no trainers, golf-carts, news reporters, or millions?

All for glory, all for pay
And we all play along
'cuz we love it that way...

Today I heard and saw two stories of players whose seasons were ended by collisions that caused traumatic physical harm -- Greg Oden and E.J. Henderson -- who, in the course of their games and struggle, suffered a cracked kneecap and a cartoonishly broken leg. Moving so fast.
And now, miles from crowds, so slow, time ticks, so slow.

Looking at stats, scores, highlights and hooplah, I sometimes forget what's at stake for the athletes who compete. Like balloons billowing with expectations and hopes from their respective cities and fans, these two men are now deflated down to their regular huge frames. Sure, they have Docs, trainers, news reporters and their friends, teammates and families with them. But they carry the burden now of pain and patience, without the game appearance, the exhilaration, hype and bright lights, as they lie there drugged up while their short windows slowly, steadily continue to close.

Championship aspirations, glory dreams
Drift by as their chances to affect outcomes
Shrink to match those of yours or mine
And then the next boy steps off the line
getting a chance to grow, to fill,
and maybe someday sell
the first one's shoes.