-I don’t wanna lose in this game
-I’d rather be close to you in your space
-It’s your ball, the score is 7 to 8
-Check-up, game-point, let’s get after it bae

-Even though we’re battling, I’ll only battle with you
-We can play all night, till it’s morning light with you
-Guard you tight with all my might, I’ll take the challenge with you
-So even though we’re battling, I’ll only battle with you

-You better use all your tricks and your tools, this game here I’m not about to lose,
You know I’ll battle with ya

-We can finish this game playing R&B tunes,
head home to make love afterwards boo,
You know I’ll battle with ya

-You always have something to prove,
that’s what I’ve always loved about you,
You know I’ll battle with ya

Dear God,

Remember the time our twin moms
sat down with me & my cousin
as we decided to leave our old home
for a better life back then?
The four of us signing our rights
over to our new guardians
to take us in for a higher education
and a chance at life vs the streets.
Our first big grownup decision as kids.
It was also our first encounter
with racism. The district tried everything
in their power to keep us away
making excuses:
“There’s to many kids.”
“Judge won’t allow these kids from the north.”
“We don’t want troubled kids.”
” It’s not a good look.”
What they were actually saying
was they won’t accept black kids.
Nothing but trouble. Scared of us.
The county hated us, but never knew us.
People judged us, said we never graduate
is what they told us.
Crazy part about it was we never once
stepped foot on the bus, school, nor the classroom. It was still summer time.

However; once we were accepted
we passed classes, honors, popular,
accepted, and graduated.
We showed them we can do anything huh…
Now they miss us

August 28, 1946

Finally home after a long day of
playing back to back tournament games.
Take a hot sweet shower, eat, then lay
my body down in bed, straight flat.
“Awwwww”- yes feels so good…
………….
…………
………….
…………..

AHHHHH F——K
Dam_ craps!
Ugh the agony
Goodness gracious!

Who do you think you’re talking to?
Did you forget i’m human to?
Where did all your morals go? Or
were you born with ignorant stupidity.

To many times you cross the line
insulting racial slurs towards athletes
getting all sensitive, losing your mind.
Objects thrown, emotions shown
among the crowd time after time,
like how could you be so heartless?
What about being spit at on the court,
maybe the organization should have you fined
and banned for life from events.

Just because you bought tickets
to watch us play, doesn’t give you
the right to say nor do whatever
you want towards athletes.
This may be entertainment to you
but this is our career, our life, our job,
our occupation- to win games.

Dear God,

It’s been nearly 20 years
since I step away from my second home
-section 8
right outside of Chicago, IL.
I never forgotten where I came from
but almost forgotten my nickname.
The name my beautiful hood
given to me as my identity
became my trademark on my face
I was born with.
Because they knew the right name
would bring tears of joy to their eyes
that showed I made it out alive.
My village still recognizes
me, even present day, as…

My government name is Xavier Deont’e Thomas
But my hood name is “ Tear Drop”

June 24, 1994

FaceTime me every week, as the calls start to pile

play dumb like we weren’t a thing, you know that sh%t is really foul

told me you’ll never be submissive; Love, your mouth be running wild

posting couple & single memes together must really got you down

Oh a new person in your DM’s, someone new to get you riled up

random thoughts run through my mind, watching you chase after titles

can’t find anyone to commit, how’s love working for you now?