Draining sweat out of my mind on the black line
wondering how the hell did we get here???…

one minute it’s 5on5.
i’m on the JV squad beating varsity with ease.
intense energy arise.

next minute, coach is ******. has all of us on the line like soldiers. running in sections of groups of 3-4

varsity runs first
JV next
freshman third
whoever’s left just run last.

as we look at the scoreboard,
the death clock is set for one minute.
all we have to do is beat the clock
before time runs out,
otherwise we keep running.

a full-court “Kentucky Derby” sprint
and yet, we’ve been practicing for 7 hours
on a school night.
mentally exhausted
from homework due tomorrow.
physically in pain from the drills.

Coach yells: “NEXT GROUP!”

dam_. here we go.

Coach: “GO!”
**tick, tick, tick

I’ll never forget senior night
when I first noticed you
after our last home game of the season.

I was at the game table,
broadcasting on the radio
my plans after high school.

I notice you starring me down
Ms. Hazel eyes.
biting your lips, smiling.
waiting for me to finish.

Glancing at you, ending my interview quickly.
grabbing my full attention.

Walking over, to approach you, I said:
“I remember you love
from earlier in the season.
nice to see you again lol
here’s my number
come see me tonight.”

Icing my knees
through this cold machine
on this cold table thinking-
“I have to show out tonight for the fans and the scouts.”

So I take a deep breath
to focus a calm mind.
Relax my tense body,
leave my problems behind.
Begin to image myself scoring every play
with my enemy defeated by my hands.

Coach walks in- “You ready big time?”
I open my eyes facing him-
“We already won.”

I’m a…

Middle-class sinner, athlete village breadwinner.
The man in the mirror is a sweet smooth operator.
Too unique in my skin cause “Black Lives Matter.”
A young discipline brotha, who one day will meet his maker.

A “Chi-Town” Legend; south side lands are what I represent &
Against all odds, I battle victorious as a strong veteran.
Never threaten, but these quick lightning hands will do some holy damage .
Cause I come from where God’s from, the pearly gates of Heaven.

I’m grateful.
But I don’t owe you sht

You have options, but wasting my time isn’t one.
Honey, I don’t owe you sht

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries is what I praise.
I don’t owe you sht

You’re entitled to your opinions & feelings.
However love, come back to reality cause
I don’t owe you sht

I make efforts, easily
and yet again I say, I just don’t owe you sht

You want explanations for everything but remember,
I don’t owe you sht

You can’t even be accountable
yet you want a relationship - relationship?…
No baby,  I don’t owe you sh*t

Pretty face, pretty times
Pretty was born with red signs.
Pretty taught me some really hard lessons
Pretty keeps trophies around for pretty reflection
When pretty lie, that’s pretty profession
Pretty turns defensive when perfection is questioned
Pretty will have you up at night second-guessing
Pretty was an ugly heart covered with pretty features