Epic Poem
THE LEGEND OF MJ
or The Ballad of Michael Jordan
Once upon a time in a far off New York state…a baby was born in Brooklyn, a one who would always find a way.
Down to Carolina, there he learned to ball.
But, bested by his brother… he had learned to fall.
…determination walked those halls.
Embattled by his brother with a
determined focused gaze… the boy began to practice… each and every day.
Anytime and any place. Ask anyone how MJ did at the end of his high school craze.
Practice every angle. Practice every line.and every spot.
Practice impractical shots…
because…maybe… and because why not.
Push and Practice with the left and with the right. Practice in the darkness to get the feel even with no light.
..and perhaps you’ll get to the place where MJ did one night.
One year later emerging on the court, Black Mamba came walking, about to change the sport.
Top of the hill at Chapel Hill. Go see 23 said
Sue… said Bill.
The kid he flies by sure act of
will …and no one can stop him. The kid he kills.
He ran and jumped and strode. He’d glide! He’d spin then jerk and I swear he flied.
He’d dunk before you even blinked. And when you thought you had him…. another shot he’d sink.
Bobby Knight said most amazing! The kid he’s trail blazing!
Look! He’s climbing watch him soar! The
crowd roars! Watch out!
He bumps his head on backboards.
Top 3 pick in the draft? For real? Now thats a steal!
Chicago wasn’t winning; but here a new
beginning. Losers became legends, MJ willing.
Leave nothing on the court. Find the game in your head. What did he say? Make him sorry it was said.
Be poetry in motion. Stir up a commotion. Beat them into submission with emotion.
Get up again if you fall. Remember the ball. See without seeing. Feeling is believing.
Even in the first practice his team saw the shine. He always picked the hardest player to dominate on the pine.
Boom! Empty stands got filled.
Rookie year he willed…
..his team to the playoffs, just like Lebron.
49 points he scored. But the Boston Celtics won.
Game 3 he hit 60, setting a NBA record score.
Sublime! Game goes into overtime!
But, alas they wouldn’t make it…Boston takes it by four.
Next year he came back, ready for war.
MVP of the league. Winner of the dunks. Settling scores.
On to the Olympics. Of course it was time.
On to the world stage to be lit from the shine.
But darkness looms close. as it does to success;
Testing your metal. Testing your chest.
Wolves always want who seems like the best.
The fates say “He mocks. he laughs. He jests.
He thinks he’s better than them all
Send him dragons to fight;
we will see who will fall.
Make it known across the land here comes a weakling for the throne! Alert every dome.
Tell every shooter and dunker; quick ball handler! Tell every trickster and mixer and quick footed dancer. Alert every thug with a ring and the muscle. Alert all the fighters who like a good tussle. Let them know one thinks he has the throne.
And come they did, the wise, the short, and tall; some of the biggest monsters to ever run the ball.
Jordan was in for a fight. But, there is a gift he is willing to give, his all. Gotta find a way. Gotta find a way!
He’s on fire! He’s fuming!
But, the bad boy Pistons are looming.
Juggernauts in the game.
They are known for pummeling players,
causing bruises and pain.
But first came the Cav’s
Last time Bulls came in 2nd. Time to check em.
3 secs left to win. Mike shoots; Bulls alive!
Bending opinions like Beckam!
Standing tall. No longer losers of the NBA.
You have to remember you can always find a way.
You think the Pistons are weak? Think that they are push overs?
Check the Isiah Thomas movie. Even the great Celtics had to move over.
But, they had never met Jordan, superman undercover.
Unstoppable in the air but the Pistons were persistent.
This is about the time the Jordan rules were invented:
“Put him in the dirt. Make him hurt. Make him bleed.
If we put him down hard thats all the edge we need”
Dirty tricks they would pull and in the end they beat the bulls.
Game 7 in the sand. More power, the demand.
In the team confidence broke
but in MJ a new fire was stoked.
Time to get tough. Put on weight and muscle.
We already have the talent and the skill and the hustle.
And come back they did to embrace the tussle.
Flagrant fouls! The audience wept.
In the end the Pistons were swept.
The 2 time champions had nothing left.
No breaks. No handshakes.
And the Bulls were the Champions, but wait theres more.
A Magician is coming whose moves
you’ve never seen before…
All he can do is score the papers said.
Ha, What a bore…
But, can a title he win? The people demand more.
MJ changed his strategy. He wanted the papers to see.
His will is strong. A heart that pumps and needs.
And here we have the match up of the decade
with Magic Johnson on a rampage.
So, fluid like a ninja he moves the ball around.
Too bad you looked left cause on the right
he took you down.
Or right he beats you left. Up then down.
He’s a trickster but not a clown.
But, MJ against the Lakers? The Lakers go down.
Magic, still a king, acknowledges the crown.
Hand checked to death, learning the league.
Optimal human with a passion to succeed.
Now Celebration! Dance and sing!
Shining on a finger a championship ring!
Once, then twice, 3-peated, four,
… a 5th in a row and can you believe…one more.
Statues were made, and shows of course and ten story billboards
10 stories high reaching down to the floor!
How’d he do it? A legend gives more.
Then losing a father. Then leaving the game.
Wait taking up baseball? In… sane…
What would you do?
He had to try something new.
I think in the end he didn’t like the hat.
Sold out seats on the day he came back!
Dominating in skill and will. Driving to the top.
Breaking records. Can’t be stopped!
Past Miller and Malone Isaiah and Magic.
Past Byrd and Patrick. Young Kobe and Shaq.
Its a fact…
he floated above them all.
The commotion? Poetry in motion.
A King amongst kings. Holding six rings in the hall.
So, remember children…where theres a will there a play.
And remember Michael Jordan
,..for he always found a way.
Æ
Bill Aeric — Bio Site
Bill Aeric · Gumming wit that slowly washes over you and eventually dissolves you from its persistent saliva induced…bio.site
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