You may have heard the news that Kobe is saying, "Peace out, girl scout" to basketball after 20 seasons with the Lakers, but did you know that he wrote a poem to announce his retirement?

Kobe can spin the basketball on one finger, but can he spin some words into a good poem? Poetry can be hard sometimes, so I've made it easier for us all.

Let's look, shall we?

Dear Basketball,

From the moment

I started rolling my dad’s tube socks

And shooting imaginary

Game-winning shots

In the Great Western Forum (that's where the Lakers play)

I knew one thing was real:

I fell in love with you.

A love so deep, I gave you my all—

From my mind and body

To my spirit and soul.

As a 6-year-old boy

Deeply in love with you

I never saw the end of the tunnel.

I only saw myself

Running out of one.

And so I ran.

(So we're continuing with the dog metaphors. I see you, Kobe.)

I ran up and down every court

After every loose ball for you.

You asked for my hustle

I gave you my heart

Because it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt

Not because challenge called me

("Hi, Kobe? It's me, challenge.")

But because you called me.

I did everything for you

Because that’s what you do

When someone makes you feel as

Alive as you’ve made me feel.

You gave a 6-year-old boy his Laker dream

And I’ll always love you for it.

But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.

This season is all I have left to give.

My heart can take the pounding

My mind can handle the grind

But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK.

I’m ready to let you go.

I want you to know now

So we both can savor every moment we have left together.

The good and the bad.

We have given each other

All that we have.

And we both know, no matter what I do

I’ll always be that kid

With the rolled up socks

Garbage can in the corner

:05 seconds on the clock

Ball in my hands.

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always,
Kobe

Analysis: Basketball is to Kobe what Angelina is to Brad, but now the relationship is ending, and he's going all Taylor Swift on everyone.

Poem provided by The Player's Tribune.