I'm sneaking around
on my Jordans
Tippy Toe
~
expected of being in the shadows
I am covered in myself nestling
I have left myself
Tippy Toe
~
you can't see me because I'm light
and in the darkness I'm surrounded
with luminescence
~
I'm feathered between tomorrow
fleshly covered I'm in the corner
I'm in the depth, I'm on the ceiling
I'm on the floor
yet I'm quiet
Tippy Toe
~
and my illumination
is light a hidden
lit up wayward soul
on my feet
Tippy Toe
10/20/23
Written words James Edward Lee Sr2023
When everyone wore Calvin Klein
I wore pairs of Old Navy jeans and graphic tees
When everyone carried a mouthful Menthol Cigarettes
I carried a mouthful of Sour Patch Kids
When everyone was having cups of Kalik
I was having cups of Pina Coladas
When everyone was rocking Air Jordans
I was rocking flip flops and Converse
When everyone went to Atlantis and Baha Mar
I went to Blue Lagoon and Ardastra Gardens
When everyone wanted to go to Miami
I wanted to go to Key West, Maui or Bora Bora
When everyone grew up to be a police
a teacher or a front desk clerk
I grew up to be a tour guide,
a beach nomad and a storyteller
In either first grade or kindergarten
I first fell prey to the Valentine's curse
when I got but five cards, all others ten
and from there, my fate went from bad to worse.
By middle school, my place in class was clear
my sneakers neither Jordans nor Converse
under their jibes, I shed many a tear
as they all would taunt my Valentines' verse.
But it was in High School I learned to fear
pretty girls who with legs and bosom tease
and on February fourteenth of each year
need more than chocolate to be pleased.
Long ago memories of times now past
yet from these times my fate was cast.
hypbst
you need to stop spending money
on stupid street wear and shoes
Supreme, Jordans and Yeezys
are a waste of your dues
your closet is full of hypebeast clothes
that you will outgrow in a year
$1300 for two pairs of shoes is way too much
you spend money
like it grows on trees
and you don't seem to understand
that your money isn't infinite
one day you will regret all these purchases
you love cars
so why don't you save money for a nice one
down the line
who needs ten pairs of shoes?
not me, not you
so why don’t you choose
to spend money on things
that will actually benefit you
and not just the coolest fits
and shoes
you don't even skate
but supreme skateboards cover your wall
so stop spending money
on shoes you'll wear twice
and leave them on display in your room
For the rest of your life
you wear shoes, they're not just for show
still love you though
Robin of the Hoodie
Alas, resides in Sherwood Forest,
one Robin of the Hoodie. He’s lost
amid the greenery, weeping
as sunset nears for underneath
the Hood he hides his deep
and lonely fears. The Hoodie
no protection here amid the
bug filled darkness, nor can
it quell the eerie sounds of
hoodless creature calls,
his secret handshake useless
among the clawed and taloned.
He drifts to sleep with visions
of “Air Jordans” that can fly,
carry him to safety, the
streetlit yellow streaks
of alleyways and thoroughfares
the Hoodie creatures know.
Summoning his courage
he storms the distant hut
enters into murky stink,
old wooden planks,
and curses those who left him
on his own, abandoned him
to Hoodie misery.
Fools who took
a city kid out camping,
fed him beans and franks
and stories until
“HE HAD TO GO”.
2/16/2016
submitted to – A twisted poem about Robin Hood – Poetry Contest
sponsor – C. T.
OH JESUS CAME IN SWADDLING CLOTHES
KING HEROD NOR
THE REST OF HIS COULD'VE
UNDERSTOOD OR COULD HAVE KNOWN
THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE RISEN AGAIN
FROM HELL'S DEATH SWORD
OH SWADDLING CLOTHES LITTLE DID WE KNOW
THAT GOD WOULD SEND HIS SON JESUS
TO SAVE HIS SINFUL WORLD
ACCORDING TO GLORY
WE RECEIVE HIS RICHES TODAY
THE RICHES OF THIS NEW BORN BABY
BORN THE VIRGINI MARY
OH NOT HAVING ON
A PAIR OF JORDANS
BUT WRAP IN SWADDLING CLOTHES?
This should be a sad place
There are no playgrounds, schools
One tap for an intire village
Their toys are rocks and sticks
There is a skinny goat running beside them
I hear laughter such sweet laughter
running jumping squeals of delight
bright smiles beaming
So much unadulterated joy
chasing shadows on dusty ground
The slapping of bare feet
No Nike's or Air Jordans to aid their flight
Happiness in a place where none should exist
This should be a happy place
Playgrounds, schools
A bathroom for almost every room in the house
No need to share more than enough
Toys, computers, smartphones
Lonely dog sits in corner chewing his bone
Children texting
Tired from all their programs
What if they don't get into the right schools?
Futures planned
Present planned to the last remaining second
Fast tracked to depression
Don't dissapoint Mom and Dad
Best coaches, best teachers, best clothes
Anything they desire
Listen, listen
Where is the laughter
Who else is part of their tribe
who cares if you live or die
Sadness in a place where none should exist
We think we are the fortunate ones
Still where is the laughter beyond the painted smiles
Light up a joint, lets give it a whirl,
the illness you have is making you hurl.
The pain is so bad you want to cry,
take a couple of tokes and you'll be high.
The pain will dim as you stumble down the block,
time seems to be dragging, but not the clock.
Don't mind if you catch yourself mumbling,
run to the refrigerator, your stomach is grumbling.
A foot long sub and a bag of potato chips,
before you know it, pants get stuck on hips.
Forget the urge of wanting to shop,
you may get pulled over by a cop.
Insurance will not pay, it will cost you money,
that's all good, because you'll think it's funny.
Soon your head will feel like you're drinking booze.
Time to lay down for a nice little snooze.
Time to wake up and break out, the chronic weed.
If you want this "medicine" go plant a seed.
It may not be legal but a doctor has the say,
of what he wants to give you to take pain away.
It's up to an individual how to manage their pain,
I would rather not kill, the cells in my brain.
For Michael Jordans Medical Marijuana Contest
When I thought I was lost and condemned for my sin,
I held fast to my faith despite this place I'm in.
When rain of turmoil would shower me,
I thought of God and His promises of joy in eternity.
When things weren't going my way that particular day,
I would get on my knees and to Jesus I would pray.
When my momma passed and I felt I couldn't go on,
I thought of her unconditional love and knew I wasn't spiritually alone.
So when I'm feeling emotionally down I keep my eye to the sky.
I walk with determination with my head held high!
*For Michael Jordans "Couplet of Faith" contest
Blind within my dark, I've stumbled and I've faltered
confused and full of fear, not knowing what is real.
I've sinned and made mistakes, have fought my share of demons
I've prayed for death to come to end the way I feel.
Though I've known much pain and had my share of sorrows
and on my burdened soul lay sins that I contrive.
Still within the dark there is a light that shines there
and with His guiding light I know I will survive.
Through His word He's said that all the things I've come to
are the things that He has wanted me to know.
I pray to be forgiven, for strength and the endurance
to make it to the day His reasons He will show.
My soul is light and dark and it has many facets
has felt the Holy Spirit, has known both joy and love
but even when it's black it still does not know hatred
for this and so much more I'm blessed by God above.
Inspired by Michael Jordans Share Your Soul contest
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