Tears For Kobe

The World has lost a great one, so long before his time;
Kobe Bryant, aged only forty-one, his life still in it’s prime!
Fame and fortune came his way, one of the greatest hoopsters ever known;
From his high school days, throughout his pro career, he stood so all alone!
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With the LA Lakers, he found his home, his feats unparalleled;
A legend in his own time, so many scoring records held!
He played his career with these two numbers, eight and twenty-four;
When it was over, they were both hoisted, to be retired evermore!
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But he was far from being finished, when it came to basketball;
Instead of idling away his hours, he stood so very tall!
He founded an Academy, for gifted underprivileged teens;
Who could have never afforded college, but through him, they had the means!
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Yesterday, he and his daughter Gianna, with seven others, were headed there;
When his personal helicopter pilot, in the fog, made a fatal error!
They crashed into a hillside, all nine perished in the flames;
Oh, dear Kobe Bryant, we will forever honor your name!
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Our dearest Kobe
You left us far too early
The World now mourns