weary mind
a day without sleep
“thudunkadunk”
ball dribbled between legs
midnight black all aroundcrossed streets
ballcourts owned
my hood, my streets
hoodie over my eyes
tight Nikes demolish
“thudunkadunk”
ball dribbled between legs
midnight black all aroundcrossed streets
ballcourts owned
my hood, my streets
hoodie over my eyes
tight Nikes demolish
taking 28th ave
heading to the park
car drove by
a little too slow
no chance to run
increasingly sentimental
I grabbed my ball
held it in front of me
Wilson rubber doesn’t stop
bullets
no legacy
Ashanti pregnant
she didn’t want to see me anymore
bad job done well
nothing left
“Shit, let’s go!”
squealed tires a clarion call
white lights and sweet baby Jesus
Grandmama and Aunt Loraine
goodnight hood
______________
Adam F.C. Fletcher 