That Was I

By: Tice Jenkins

 

I was the kid that was like any other coach’s son – athletic shorts and t-shirts.

I always had a basketball in my hand, it was expected of me

The constant repetition of the basketball hitting the polished clean floor

The squeak of the shoe from the gym floor

The screech of the whistle or yelp from my dad absorbed the oxygen in the air

The tiring mornings from the late-night basketball games were apart of my life

I had no choice, I had to adapt

All the annoyance turned into an addiction: I needed it

The basketball court was my second home

The game of basketball, that was I

 

I was the kid that stuck out in red when everyone wore yellow

Wearing Nebraska attire in a Missouri setting.

Saturday’s in the fall were reserved for Husker football

The holler of ‘Go Big Red’ filled the household

The saying of ‘K-State sucks’ was required

I remember the never-ending Nebraska decorations in the ‘Man Cave’

Our family stood out like an ugly duckling

The abundant amounts of food laid out was a multitude

I was lucky my metabolism kept up with the junk food eating habits

Saturday Football, that was I

 

I was the kid that wanted to make a difference

I was only a 10-year-old in St. Joseph, MO

I thought that my servant’s heart wasn’t worthwhile

what a difference Lincoln, NE was

Your servant’s heart begins anywhere you are

The struggles in life make you realize how much more you need Jesus

A child of God, that is I

 

Author’s Note:

This is my 3rd and final draft. I feel pretty good about it after revising it with my group. They have helped me with the flow and description of my poem. I am very happy with my product.