they say numbers
don’t matter and numbers
don’t lie. we say
this is for our Splash
Brother: #11
who plays the 2-
guard, rookie shooter
in 2011 turned first-time
you’ve been gone
for too long and we’ve missed
your truth. your hoops. your numbers
matter and today
is yours: game time
still magic, timeless
with your touch even 31
941 days
later. it’s been 2 years
since 2019’s
fall —and again you rise
on Jan. 9, 2022
like free throws
in the Finals.
we’ll rise through
you, too, with jump
shot and nylon
flip, 3-pointers
knocked down and
3 fingers held up. how
does a nation thank
a king? #77, our kaptain
slightly too wavy
for the NBA’s
dry shores. mr. 37
single-game
3-point record
holder (14), owner
of most 3s
in a 5-game series
(28). slow killer
on the fast break.
high riser on the low
post. this is for all
the games you’ve given
us as some version
of yourself:
klay, imposter klay,
klay, Space Jam
klay, announcer
klay, klay with
headband, klay
who dropped 60
on 21-of-33
and dribbled only
11x. 3x champion,
5x all-star, twice
all-nba and 4ever
legend. welcome
to chase center.
welcome home.
you’ll never leave us
even when you do.
