By Miles Patrick Yohnke
© 2022 All Rights Reserved.
My new composition titled: "Hoops and Happiness" wouldn't have been made possible without our Creator and these people: Natalie Struck, Sarah & Matt Hricz, Henry Buitrago, Julia Cunningham, Claire Marsh, Irvin Yohnke and Carolyn & Duncan Hanna.
Duncan Hanna reached out to me over a decade ago. It started by him telling me he enjoyed my writings. The central part of our conversations has been based around our Creator. Duncan has had a lifelong passion for playing basketball and with his 73rd birthday approaching on Dec. 30, 2022, I wanted to acknowledge our friendship and his life with this composition.
My cousin Irvin Yohnke coached basketball. He was both a teacher and a social worker in his 46-year career. He often taught at-risk kids and the basketball court and basketball became their safe haven. It allowed them to flourish.
You'll find many metaphors in this composition, including 'out.'
Our Creator loves all people. We are all equal.
I hope you enjoy "Hoops and Happiness."
Hoops and Happiness
In the courtyard
of life
there is a mystical
figure
that dishes hope
dishes love
One's courtyard runneth over
over, over,
with this spiritual
figure
The figure points,
points out
our
infinite
possibilities
Run, run, run,
our happiness
awaits
In the courtyard
of life
our life
awaits
Run, run, run,
place a
full
court press
on
everything
and
everyone
Point
point out
their
strengths
Strength
in numbers
Unite
unite
as one
One's courtyard runneth over,
over, over,
with this spiritual
mystical
figure
Rid ourselves
of
sorrow
Rid ourselves
of
doubt
Don't doubt
this spiritual
mystical
figure
This figure
is the
captain
on this
courtyard
Run, run, run,
to this figure
the figure
will help
figure
us out
Out, out, out,
out we go
into
the courtyard
Hoops and
happiness
awaits
Hoops and
happiness
awaits
us all
Miles Patrick Yohnke photographs by Natalie Struck. To learn more about her,
please click here
Clothing, Rude Vogue. To learn more, please click here