Listen, the world is muffled
My legs, numb with cold
Grief, anger envelops us
So, it is sadly true
We all know our date of birth
No one knows their date of death
How do you say "Goodnight"
When morning dawns
The world is still in jolted

Why, death why?
Why do bad things happen to the good
And good things happen to the bad
Someone please tell me why?
You have touched our soul
With so many moves
Written your name in our hearts
The basketball world tears for you and yours

My sockets, teary
My face, blurry
My life, you were my coach
You mentored me from afar
I share your drive and enthusiasm
And that it took Gianna
What a tragedy
A loss to the world

If you lived in Africa
We would ask questions
Who felled our Iroko tree?
Who set your sun at noonday?
Who was afraid of your shine?
We would have invoked our gods
But we can't ask questions
God knoweth...

Death surely comes
The only ineluctable enemy of humans
It will come when it will come
Prepare your house, write a will
Live a day at a time
It seems far, yet close
Start living, stop surviving
Start building legacies, not wealth

With 8 all-star selections,
An MVP award with 33,643 points
Already, you made 20 seasons
Inspired our generation
Your stardom cuts accross galaxies
I just want to look into the sky
The abode of our forefathers
And see you shine down on us

There are no words to express my pain
You are a legend
You live forever in our hearts Black Mamba
Gianna, the road stops here
Heaven is a continuance
We will remember you forever
Goodnight Kobe...Good night Gianna!

Babatunde Raimi
Author/Life Coach/Poet
08178827380 & 08035063895