Kareem Abdul-Jabbar writes a poem to Kobe Bryant

With Kobe Bryant announcing he will retire following the 2015-16 NBA season, all corners of the basketball world are taking notice.

Wednesday, former Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar gave his take on Kobe's impending retirement, via a poem.

Abdul-Jabbar penned a poem, entitled "Retirement, embrace him like you did me," giving his views on life after basketball.

"You were generous, retirement. You let me discover who I was without a ball in my hand and a number on my back," Abdul-Jabbar said in his poem. "I found a man with many other passions."

Abdul-Jabbar asked retirement itself to embrace his fellow Lakers great.

"Retirement, embrace him like you did me. Teach him all that you taught me about finding who I was off the court," said Abdul-Jabbar.

For a man who has known nothing but basketball his entire life, Abdul-Jabbar's poem is full of poignant advice for Bryant. It will certainly be fascinating to see how Kobe, who seemed so singularly obsessed with basketball during his career, adjusts to life after basketball.

Bryant announced he would retire at the conclusion of the season this past Sunday, via poem.