Wings

I was seven years old, when I got my first pair
I stepped outside
And I was like, Momma, this air bubble right here, it’s gonna make me fly
I hit that court, and when I jumped, I jumped, I swear I got so high
I touched the net, Mom I touched the net.. this is the best day of my life
Air Max’s were next,
That air bubble, that mesh
The box, the smell, the stuffin, the *tread. At* school
I was so cool
I knew that I couldn’t crease ‘em
My friends couldn’t afford ‘em
Four stripes on their Adidas
On the court I wasn’t the best, but my kicks were like the pro's
Yo, I stick out my tongue so everyone could see that logo
Nike Air Flight , book bag was so dope
And then my friend Carlos’ brother got murdered for his Fours, whoa

See he just wanted a jump shot, but they wanted his Starter coat though
Didn’t wanna get caught, from Genesee Park to Othello
You get clowned for those Pro Wings, with the velcro
Those were not tight
I was trying to fly without leaving the ground, cuz I wanted to be like Mike, right
Wanted to be him
I wanted to be that guy, I wanted to touch the rim
I wanted to be cool, and I wanted to fit in
I wanted what he had, America, it begins

 

We want what we can’t have, commodity makes us want it
So expensive, damn, I just got to flaunt it
Got to show ‘em, so exclusive, this that new shoe
A hundred dollars for a pair of shoes I would never hoop in
Look at me, look at me, I’m a cool kid
I’m an individual, yea, but I’m part of a movement
My movement told me be a consumer and I consumed it
They told me to just do it, I listened to what that swoosh said

Look at what that swoosh did
See it consumed my thoughts
Are you stupid, don’t crease ‘em, just leave ‘em in that box
Strangled by these laces, laces I can barely talk
That’s my air bubble and I’m lost, if it pops
We are what we wear, we wear what we are
But see I look inside the mirror and think Phil Knight tricked us all
Will I stand for change, or stay in my box
These Nikes help me define me, but I’m trying to take mine, off

 

They started out, with what I wear to school
That first day, like these are what make you cool
And this pair, this would be my parachute
So much more than just a pair of shoes
Nah, this is what I am
What I wore, this is the source of my youth
This dream that they sold to you
For a hundred dollars and some change
Consumption is in the veins
And now I see it’s just another pair of shoes

Reviews

[Allie]

Well I'm glad somebody sees that shoes are just shoes. The first stanza made me smile because I could just see the joy in your face and your mother was probably so happy to make you happy. She probably worked hard for the extra money for those shoes like most mothers do (even myself). But in the end, a shoe is a shoe.

[Tyler Jackson]

this is my only escape from my past and sometimes future... I will try to write more soon

[Everett DeValle]

Hello Tyler, this is a beautiful and compelling story...I truly enjoyed the nostalgic feel to your write, bro...simply because I relate, the urban feel of the story yet it can apply anywhere...Man, I grew up wearing converse still do, I didn't get a pair of Nike Air Maxes until worked my first job in McDonalds in my teens...whew, hard work...the managers are crude, and I'm sure they still are for minimum wage, back then minimum was 4 and a quarter...and in an hour, I could be at the fry station, cleaning lobby, and mostly cashier...just to buy stuff like a nice pair of shoes...but your right, we are consumed to consume, or how society is built...it is what it is...I still wear my Nike Airmax and Converse. They are just comfy and hold sentimental value, to me.


I Love the flow of emotions in your write. Nicely done.

[Tyler Jackson]

Thank you both, this is my only escape from my past and sometimes future... I will try to write more soon

[Nautili]

oh my...this is so good, so, so good. I love how it reads like a song. It is full of societal pressures to conform, materialism, inner-city violence for "stuff", individualism, inner growth, it goes on and on!. This is the best piece I have read in ages. I applaud you and look forward to reading more of your work! Thank you for requesting me!

[Tyler Jackson]

this is my only escape from my past and sometimes future... I will try to write more soon

[koty bell]

dammmmm bro i liked this one alot awesome write man

[Tyler Jackson]

thanks man, I will try to write more often on here

[koty bell]

ya i sensed alot of imagery and just overal great writing