When We Dared To Be Kings

This is dedicated to Monroe Ave, and Kobe Bryant... thank you.

Which rousing tales of ours have those summer winds kept?

Nothing moved like we did... with the wind and against the heat. A rowdy crew of shorts & sneakers; putting basketball to pavement like hands to a war drum. Every neighborhood vibrated as we marched... and those boulevards became battle flags. Our voices carried them on high till nothing could be heard, but them.

Sweat soaked passion filled those white lines on hot blacktop from corner to corner. Amidst the thrill of competition, we push'd & pull'd at dreams as we challenged the sky and shook earth. We were lords of the playground; living and dying, game to game... legends and gods alike were made or slain in a moment's pause - below or above the rim.

On that sun-baked asphalt, we chased echoes of greatness - with our tongues out. We shouted "Kobe!", at the top of every game winning shot. Some of us gave so much to that speechless queen, hoping she found us fit for a crown. Will they remember... we were the favorite sons of the avenue? Or, stand in the quietude of those settled moments, when we dared to be kings?

Which rousing tales of ours have those summer winds kept?

Author's Note

This is my thank you to Monroe Ave, a small patch of earth that likely saved my life... and also a thank you to the late Kobe Bryant, whom was always a point of inspiration. Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[sonnie ibadah]

"On that sun-baked asphalt, we chased echoes of greatness..." This is such a powerful inspiring piece.
Well penned!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much.

[Sami Khalil]

Kings have crowns, angels have wings, poets reveal deep things.

[Sami Khalil]

An inspiring poem. Sports takes lots of practice, talent, hard work, team work, execution, planning and so forth. Many sports figures become heroes to the youth. You found yours. Marvelous. I hope you follow in their FOOTSTEPS.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, brother... I most definitely spent a large part of my attempting to follow their footsteps. Thankfully, it did do me some good.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are welcome brother.

[Chris Shaw]

You draw the reader in. I was caught up in the excitement and thrill of those young boys with their passion for basketball playing in the neighbourhood of Monroe Avenue. Sport, a great way to keep young minds focused and away from trouble. Such a contrast with today, when youngsters are pushing keyboards in their bedrooms instead of being out in the fresh air with real people. You were Lords of the playground, I love that description. I love everything about this piece. You took me there, I saw it, felt it, lived it. There was love here without question for times gone by. Thank you Travis.

Chris

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Chris, you've made this piece a true achievement. To have brought so much of my love and gratitude to life in such a way was my goal. Those times truly shaped the man I am today. Thank you for such an affecting review.

[Brad Nugent]

Wow. Utterly speechless after the first read through. Beautiful, powerful, evocative, profound. ‘like hands to a war drum’ and I can feel the ball in my hands. The echo of the last line works well. Keep writing please. This was a wonderful read.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much, both for the review and motivating words!