Chicago Games (Spoken Word poem)

I recited this poem for the Chicago Center community at our 40th Anniversary Celebration at Carnivale. Truly a night to remember...

Chicago Games

Back in the days when I was younger
The dudes used holler
“What up baller?” Whether I was suited up or not,
Even after I stopped balling. But I didn’t mind cause
I know my athletic swag is still easy to peep.
Maybe they seen me with the ball, bouncing, beating the streets
Maybe they heard there wasn’t another girl as dope as me
Heard nobody could hit a turn around jumper as cold as me
Or maybe they just wanted me to know
They noticed me.

Whatever.

I wish they could’ve sensed my precision and passion for poetry.
Because I mean, I was cool on the court but
I gets down on paper and behind the mic. When I write,
I’m something like Kobe on a good night;
The female version of Shaq combined with Dwight.
I’m Superwoman when I spit. I get to the basket like Garnett
You can’t get past me like Artest.
I’m nasty like Nash and my words pierce like Paul
I’m on like Lebron. I’m tryna tell ya’ll, I ball.
When I slam its… Boom Shakalaka!
NBA Live in this Muthafucka.
Now, I got your favorite poet trying to learn soccer.

And I rep it for the females too so don’t test me
Cause I will come thru and dunk on you like Lisa Leslie
You don’t want me in your set or on your open mic
I’m Scottie Pippen in this game, pass it to me, I’m open Mike!
And if you don’t let me inside, you’re a hater
and the ref gonna call fouling
And I’m still gonna hit from outside
7 times in the first half, Ray Allen.
Yeah, she got game, female Jesus on the court. Basketball is
A jazz mixed with funk mixed with hip-hop type sport
It’s in my blood and the blood of my people
We coulda dominated golf a lot sooner
But basketball was cheaper

But on the South Side, sometimes they don’t understand me cause
when I win its like when the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.
You know I represent but you don’t know quite
How to feel about it. There’s one Black Blackhawk and
He’s half-black like me. Let’s be real about it. And to be honest,
I grew up on Gary Payton and the Seattle Supersonics.
Unfortunately, my home team no longer exist.
So excuse me when I say I’m on some Bulls shit.
But I’m still fresh in the game, rookie amongst the pros
Though I’m staying in city like my man D. Rose.
At least for now, you know how it goes…
And I know how it feels to play these Chicago games.
Everyday I play these Chicago games.
From 95th to Howard I ride these Chicago trains.
From Ray School to Lane Tech, I watch the future of Chicago dream.

When I visit 116th and Michigan I remember Chicago’s pain.

Blair Holt, and the many other names that remain after bodies slain.
On a mural tour in Pilsen with Mr. Guerrero with white kids

from somewhere in Ohio, for that one hour

I’m consumed by Chicago’s power.
In exposing the prairie fields of culture and history
I’m contributing to the unveiling of an American mystery.
From Mag Mile to Maxwell Street, every purchase is Chicago’s gift to me.
From the Green Mill to Verbal Balance, I am an inhabitant and participant
In a poetic movement birthed and bred in Chicago.
So it’s only right I get down like a pothole.
I soak up game like I stepped in it with my sock, joe.
Then I take that Chicago swag I everywhere that I go.
All around the city, like I'm riding I-GO.

When I go back to the west coast, I take Chicago home.
When I roam in places like Madrid and Rome,
I talk Chicago like I’m on my 773 Chicago phone. And when I return
To my Hyde Park apartment to write my Chicago poem
I feel the weight on my broad shoulders like Chicago knows
I’m Michael Jordan in this game. I’m Chicago’s best.
Best in the game, best ever. Yes, I’m blessed. Because
The blood I spill on this paper and stage
is the same blood that runs through Blago’s veins;
The blood of the Stones, the G.D.'s, the CPD
In the streets, all playing these Chicago games.
Spraying the same blood that spilled from
Derrion Albert’s young Chicago brains.
The same blood that funded the 2016 Chicago Games;
South Side infrastructure that never came.

But as long as I’m here I’m gonna play these
Chicago games and I’m gonna dominate
Like I’m tryna bring Chicago fame.
I’m from Tacoma but I do my Chicago thang.
And poetry is how I play this Chicago game
I play for Chicago. I’m on Chicago’s team.
So if I lose anything, I just pray Chicago gains.

(2010)